Good Day! Summer 2019 [V3I2]

Good Day!

A quarterly publication of the National Grange Vol. 3, Issue 2 l Summer 2019

TM

‘Since God placed man on Earth...’

Nation’s oldest agriculture advocacy organization continues course with Grange Youth Fair Program, much more

ONLY THE BEST FOR GRANGE MEMBERS

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Other Granges are coming on-line fast. We hope to be providing services in every Grange State by the end of 2018. Urge your state leadership to contact us today to see how we can help you!

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Good DAY!

PRELUDE

8

National President reflects as Dairy Month approaches Editorial asks how your Grange encourages pride in homeownership, beautification Board makes tough decisions about major organizational asset: Grange HQ Op-Ed: Don’t take risk with imported drugs Letter: Social Media saved our Grange

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MEMBERSHIP NEWS, TOOLS & RECOGNITION

18

Granges celebrating milestone anniversaries

Breaking down new approach to fundraising into easy-to-follow steps

F

26

Foundation chosen as recipient of April funds raised through virtual race

N

NATIONAL NEWS & VIEWS

STATE & LOCAL GRANGE NEWS

31

27

Photographer provides images that bring the farm to Washington, D.C. Quilts of Valor partnership a successful, rewarding endeavor for many Granges

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JUNIOR GRANGE

60

New Jersey member publishes first book

Deadlines for updated program, ambassador applications due soon

Texas Granges gather to raise money for, spirits of local family in need

PASSPORT: Dairy Awareness

Oregon Grange featured in local Subaru dealer’s commercial

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LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS

34

Grange Youth take to Hill as part in National Ag Day Connections, issue insight just part of experience at Legislative Fly-In + Issue briefs PTSD and Ageism can complicate lives of veterans seeking new careers

Leadership paradox

GRANGE FOUNDATION

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™

Grange partners with groups fighting to keep consumers “posted”

PERSPECTIVE: Grange Youth Fair Program

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46

Grange blossoms in Nevada, booms in California thanks to engaging program Advocating for farmers in hard times still at Grange’s core Virginia farmer wins Ag Advocate of the Year award sponsored by Grange Foundation Renovations, additions to founder O.H. Kelley’s homestead enhance educational opportunities for visitors Juniors take on philanthropic initiative to honor founder, support ag education

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GRANGE YOUTH & YOUNG ADULTS

66

4 selected to represent Grange at national conference combating opioid abuse New York, North Carolina ladies each serve as one-half of Young Patron, Youth Ambassador teams

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HOBBIES

72

Grange’s role looms large in final re-imagined Bonnie & Clyde novel

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FOOD NEWS & RECIPES

74

Milk, cheese, butter, more are source of delight in recipes featuring dairy products Master’s Recipes: Cheesy Bacon Oven Pancake and Ice Cream Cookie Desert

L W

LAST WORD

77

Securing Grange through Foundation for future members a noble, necessary cause

Good Day! Magazine is a quarterly publication of the National Grange. located at 1616 H St. NW, Washington, DC 20006.

All comments and questions can be directed to communications@nationalgrange.org

GOOD DAY!™ MAGAZINE ®

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3

WHAT’S THE GRANGE? The National Grange was founded as a fraternal organization for farm families in 1867 – opening its doors to men and women equally from the start.

From rural free delivery of mail to the direct election of U.S. Senators by the people, Grangers have influenced so many aspects of American life and culture.

Today we continue to advocate for rural Americans and those interested in all areas of agriculture – including those who just like to eat – and our local Granges provide millions of dollars and hours of service to their neighbors annually.

Each Grange operates as a grassroots unit, taking on projects most appropriate for their communities and advocating based on their members’ beliefs.

®

Learn more at www.nationalgrange.org.

OUR

William “Chip” Narvel, DE, National Steward

F. Philip Prelli, CT, Overseer philip.prelli@snet.net

John Plank, IN, National Assistant Steward

Leroy Watson, NH, Executive Committee Chair

Brenda Rousselle, VT, National Lady Assistant Steward

Executive Committee Secretary schaeffr@att.net Susan Noah, OR,

Executive Committee Member master@orgrange.org Stephen Coye, NY,

Executive Committee Member steve@nygrange.org Chris Hamp, WA,

National Lecturer lecturer@nationalgrange.org

Betsy E. Huber, Publisher National Grange Master (President) & President, Grange Foundation betsy@nationalgrange.org Amanda Leigh Brozana Rios, Editor Communications & Development Director & Grange Foundation Associate communications@nationalgrange.org Loretta Washington, Subscription Manager Sales, Benefits, Programs & Membership Recognition Director lwashington@nationalgrange.org

Joe Stefenoni Membership & Leadership Development Director membership@nationalgrange.org

Betsy E. Huber, PA, President betsy@nationalgrange.org

Lynette Schaeffer, IL,

Staff

Stephanie Wilkins, Subscriptions Assistant IT Director swilkins@nationalgrange.org

Officers

leroyawatson@nationalgrange.org

OUR

Barbara Borderieux, FL, National Chaplain Dwight Baldwin, IO, National Treasurer Judy Sherrod, TN, National Secretary Christopher Johnston, MI, National Gatekeeper

Burton Eller National Grange Legislative Director Grange Advocacy Executive Director beller@nationalgrange.org Mandy Bostwick Youth Development Director youth@nationalgrange.org Samantha Wilkins Operations Coordinator & Junior Grange Development Director junior@nationalgrange.org Pete Pompper Community Service Director communityservice@nationalgrange.org

Cindy Greer, CO, National Ceres Kay Stiles, MD, National Pomona Welina Shufeldt, OK, National Flora

GOOD DAY!™ MAGAZINE

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Stewart Hughes Controller shughes@nationalgrange.org Mujo Mrkonjic Building Engineer

Features SPEAKING TRUTH TO POWER

36

Nearly two dozen Grange members met with legislators during the annual Fly-In

29

BIG IMPACT

32 A Grange raises nearly $8,000 for a local family in need

WRAPPED WITH THANKS

Grangers across the country are proud to take part in program combining love of veterans and putting handicraft skills to good use

ADVERTISE WITH US Our quarterly publication welcomes advertisers. Up to a 20% discount may be offered to Grange members on their ad purchases.

All rates shown are for pre-designed content submitted at least 2 weeks in advance of press date for an issue. You may request rates for ads to be designed by our staff.

GOOD DAY!™ PRESS DATES 2019 Issue Due Date Hits Mailboxes Summer

May 1

June 1

Winter

Nov. 15

Dec. 15

Fall

Feb. 1

March 1

Classified ads are also welcomed at $0.50 per word up to 25 words, $1 thereafter; $2.50 per website, email, or other link regardless of word count; $5 per photo (will appear no larger than 1.5”x1”). Special requests (bold design, font increase) available for extra charge. All copy should be submitted no later than 10 days prior to the due date.

National Grange assumes no responsibility for that which is advertised in Good Day!™ and reserves the right to reject ads deemed offensive or irrelevant.

Please contact Amanda Brozana Rios at communications@nationalgrange.org or by phone at (301) 943-1090 for details.

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Grange Membership

BENEFITS Below is an overview of some of the benefits that are available to Grange members across the country.

A full, detailed list can be viewed on the National Grange’s website: www.nationalgrange.org/benefits

$

R/

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SHOPPING & SHIPPING

We have partnered with Lenovo, Office Depot/Office Max, UPS and The Azigo Cash-Back Shopping Mall. When you shop at these locations or use these services, you are giving back to the National Grange and receiving special deals in the process.

FINANCE

The National Grange has partnered with TSYS Merchant Solutions to offer a payment processing program tailored to your business or Grange needs. American Senior Benefits also offers financial advising services for members of every age.

TRAVEL & LEISURE

With discounts on a variety of tickets and entertainment options from TicketsatWork and deals from Choice Hotels, Wyndham Hotels, Hertz, Dollar Car, and Thrifty rental car services, as well as other hotel and rental car businesses, these exclusive Grange benefits are sure to help you when planning your next vacation.

HEALTH

Our partnerships with Comfort Keepers, one of the top companies in the eldercare industry and Life Line, are sure to give you peace of mind about your health. We also have discounts on hearing aids and screening services and more.

PHARMACY

We have multiple partnerships to help Grange members obtain discount pharmacy cards. CVS Caremark offers the RxSavings Plus Card. The U.S. Pharmacy Card is a free discount prescription card available to Grangers.

Last offer excludes members in NC. Also a partnership with National Affinity Services allows access to the public subsidized government marketplace.

INSURANCE

We have partnerships with Clouse Insurance Agency, United of Omaha Life Insurance Company and MetLife Home and Auto Insurance, and Nationwide Pet Insurance to give our members discounts on insurance rates and deals. American Senior Benefits also offers a variety of services related to insurance needs.

State-based and property-based restrictions apply. Contact agency directly.

Excludes Washington, Oregon, California, Colorado, Idaho, Wyoming, and North Carolina.

... and many more plus new ones added regularly. Check our website for all active benefits. www.nationalgrange.org/benefits

designed for We plan our layout so that many of our pages can be pulled out and either completed and returned or copied and given to members or friends.

Help us share the news of our Order and encourage people to get their own subscription to Good Day!

distribution

Complete & Return 10

Grange Building HQ Donation Form Grange Revival Individual Event Registration & Lodging Form

15-16 78

Junior Kelley Farm Fundraiser

78

Grange Foundation Donation Form

Copy & Hand Out/Post 6 14 37-38

Grange Member Benefits

General Grange Priorities Issue Brief Lifeline Access Advocacy Issue Brief

40

Keep Me Posted Advocacy issue Brief

62

65

Grange Revival: Save the Date

39

37-38

63-64

Rebate Rule Advocacy Issue Brief TOOL: Junior Grange Month Poster

75

Junior Grange Passport + Worksheet World Discovery #1: Dairy Awareness

71

Regional Conference Schedule

73

2019 Foundation Mercantile Promo Flyer

76

Dairy Recipes

79

Grange Store @ Monroe Classic Sales

Back

153rd National Convention Poster

WRITE FOR Good DAY!™ This is your magazine. Your voice is welcome. From questions encouraged for the FEEDback section to guest columns, we are always looking for ways to include our members’ work.

All submissions must be your own original writing or photography and must be made via email to communications@nationalgrange.org or by mail to National Grange ATTN: Good Day!™, 1616 H St. NW,

Washington, DC 20006.

There is no guarantee of publication and all content should represent good moral values and Grange ideals. No pornographic or explicit language or photos will be accepted. There is no age restriction on any creative submission, and we always welcome short stories (fiction or nonfiction), poetry, short skit scripts and photo essays.

We are also on the lookout for

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writers to help produce high-quality journalistic articles covering Grange news and topics of interest to our readers. Some contract work is available. Submit a letter of interest along with writing samples to the editor.

Not a writer but know something that should be included in Good Day!™ magazine? Submit tips by email or mail as well.

7

FEEDback

?:

“Our Grange does tons of community service, but when we mentioned to a State Grange Deputy that we were preparing to become a 501(c)3 non-profit, we were told Granges don’t qualify. Why? What is the right kind of non-profit status for Granges with the IRS and what kind of limitations does that mean we have?”

A charitable organization, or 501(c)(3), is defined as an organization “organized and operated exclusively for exempt purposes set forth in section 501(c)(3), and none of its earnings may inure to any private shareholder or individual. In addition, it may not be an action organization, i.e., it may not attempt to influence legislation as a substantial part of its activities and it may not participate in any campaign activity for or against political candidates. Organizations described in section 501(c)(3) are eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions in accordance with Code section 170.” Therefore, Granges cannot be 501(c)(3) organizations because we do lobby to influence legislation. Even if your Community Grange is not active in legislative work, you are chartered by the National Grange which employs a lobbyist and is very involved in the legislative arena.

There are three other 501(c) tax exempt categories that Granges can be designated. The National Grange is classified by the IRS as a 501(c)(5) organization, a labor, agricultural or horticultural organization. To be tax exempt under this code, an organization must meet the following requirements: 1) The net earnings of the organization may not inure to the benefit of any member; and 2) The objects of the organization must be the betterment of conditions of those engaged in the pursuits of labor, agriculture, or horticulture, the improvement of the grade of their products, and the development of a higher degree of efficiency in their respective occupations.

Seeking legislation germane to the labor or agricultural organization’s programs is recognized as a permissible means of attaining its exempt purposes. Thus, a section 501(c)(5) organization may further its exempt purposes through lobbying as its primary activity without jeopardizing its exempt status.

Some Granges are classified as 501(c)(8). To be exempt

?

Send your questions for inclusion in next issue’s Feedback by email to communications@ nationalgrange.org or by mail to 1616 H St. NW, Washington, DC 20006 ATTN: Good Day!

under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(8), a fraternal beneficiary society, order, or association must meet the following requirements: 1) It must have a fraternal purpose. An organization has a fraternal purpose if membership is based on a common tie or the pursuit of a common object. The organization must also have a substantial program of fraternal activities; 2) It must operate under the lodge system or for the exclusive benefit of the members of a fraternal organization itself operating under the lodge system. Operating under the lodge system requires, at a minimum, two active entities: (i) a parent organization; and (ii) a subordinate (called a lodge, branch, or the like) chartered by the parent and largely selfgoverning; 3) It must provide for the payment of life, sick, accident, or other benefits to the members of such society, order, or association or their dependents; 4) An organization that provides benefits to some, but not all, of its members may qualify for exemption so long as most of the members are eligible for benefits, and criteria for excluding certain members are reasonable.

Classification 501(c)(10) is similar to (8) but does NOT provide for the payment of life, sick, accident or other benefits. In addition, it must devote its net earnings exclusively to religious, charitable, scientific, literary, educational, and fraternal purposes.

In summary, Granges can be exempted from income tax (not sales tax) by the IRS under section 501(c)(5), (8), or (10), but not under 501(c)(3). That is why several Granges, including National, have organized separate Grange Foundations which do qualify as a (3) to receive donations which can typically qualify for tax deductions for the donors.

?:

“I recently joined the Grange and had heard so much about the Grange being “grassroots” but everyone I go to a Grange meeting I’m told that Executive Committee/Board of Directors handles things in our Grange. How can the Grange be grassroots if a board of directors is making all the decisions?”

The Grange Installation Ceremony for Executive Committee members states, “As an Executive Committee, but always and only in conjunction with the Worthy Master, you are authorized, between regular meetings of your Grange, in time of emergency or need, to act for and in the name of the Grange Itself.” The Executive Committee is only authorized to act for the Grange if there is an emergency between regular meetings that cannot wait until the next regular Grange meeting. Otherwise the members attending the Grange meeting have the responsibility to make the decisions for the Grange body.

GOOD DAY!™ MAGAZINE

8

®

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MASTER’S CORNER Betsy E. Huber

June is Dairy Month. Many of you

that are not, only low fat milk available

know I was born and raised on a dairy

for school lunches which does not

farm

Pennsylvania.

taste as good as whole milk, tariffs and

My grandfather, father, and brother

trade wars, uncertain export markets,

milked cows on that land before 1974,

weather issues, increased efficiency and

when houses were built all over it. My

production of cows, lack of labor, and on

brother and several cousins still dairy in

and on.

in

southeastern

Pennsylvania, so I still have interest in

According to a USDA report just

the industry besides loving ice cream,

released, the U.S. lost 2,731 (6.5%)

cheese, yogurt, and milk.

licensed dairy farms from 2017 to 2018.

The last four years have been increasingly

difficult

to

survive

for

The total number of dairy farms is now at 37,468.

More than 500 Wisconsin

water, roads and the environment at large?

farmers who milk cows because of the

dairy farms have been lost per year, on

I don’t want my milk to come from

continuing low price of milk. The price

average, since 2003.

another country or even from the other

of agricultural products is market driven,

Why should we care?

side of the U.S. And I don’t really want

meaning that scarcity increases the price

What will our countryside look like in

to have to feed and milk my own cow to

and surplus product lowers the price.

Milk is also strictly price-regulated by

10 years if we do nothing? the

We need to work together to come

the government, so producers cannot

infrastructure supporting these farms

up with a new pricing method for milk

increase the price of their milk to cover

fails (i.e., milk transport, veterinary

that allows the farmer to make a livable

their costs of production.

service, equipment dealers, feed mills,

income from his hard work.

Most

dairy

“underwater”

farms for

have

four

years,

been

What

happens

get good milk! when

many other small businesses)?

not

For those of you who aren’t in the

receiving enough for their milk to cover

dairy industry, what happens will affect

their costs. A business cannot continue

you too.

this way forever; there will be a breaking point.

Is supply management the answer?

Should the government stop controlling the price and let the market drive it?

One

Do you want to drive past abandoned small and medium-sized dairy farms?

Several of my close, long-time friends

Do you want the deterioration of the

who have been dairying for generations

small towns supported by farmers to

quit and sold their herds last year

continue?

easy

do—drink milk!

thing

everyone

can

Eat ice cream!

Eat

more yogurt, pizza, different cheeses, whipped cream.

Urge

your

Congressman

and

Senators to pass the bill to allow whole

because they could not continue losing

How do you suppose the demise of

milk in schools. Especially during dairy

money any longer. It broke my heart as

these idyllic farms will affect the tourism

month, take some action to help our

I’m sure it did theirs.

industry and the desire of people to

dairy farms survive.

There are several reasons for the crisis—fewer

people

drinking

move to the “country?”

milk,

How will having houses instead of

other products being marketed as milk

farms affect our groundwater, surface

GOOD DAY!™ MAGAZINE ®

www.nationalgrange.org

Have a Grange program to raise awareness of the dairy problem, and be sure to serve ice cream!

9

New board member excited by changes ahead

By Susan Noah National Grange Executive Committee Member The first week in May, the National Executive Committee met at our headquarters in Washington, D.C. This was my second meeting, and I’m starting to feel like I’m getting up to speed on the challenges facing our organization.

Serving on this Board is truly a privilege that carries responsibility for making the best decisions we can for the good of the order. It has been interesting seeing firsthand all the work our Directors and staff are accomplishing.

I am excited by the changes coming to our Youth and Junior departments.

Mandy Bostwick and Samantha Wilkins are both updating and revamping their

two respective programs. I know our Youth and Junior members will appreciate the changes and I hope to see more participation in both of the programs.

At this meeting we also took the first steps to formulating a new Child Protection Policy. As a family organization we realize that we must have protocols in place for the protection of our youngest members, and guidelines for those charged with their care. Sister Wilkins started the process by reaching out to each state Grange for their policies, which was a great aid in our work to set a policy for the National Grange. We intend to finish up by our August meeting, having the new policy available for our delegates by the November convention.

The National headquarters also claimed our attention. It seems as though the staff has been plagued by

a leaking roof throughout this winter.

Working with several bids gathered by the National Master the Executive Committee voted to accept a bid to re-coat the roof giving it another 15 years of life.

Having a building only a few blocks from the White House brings prestige to our organization, but it also means that we must keep up with maintenance. The building has a lengthy list of items needing repairs or updates. One of the next projects will probably be the technology and redecorating efforts needed in the conference room.

Due to the efforts of many Grangers the original mortgage was paid off in 1977.

Maybe it’s time we make a new push to show our pride in our headquarters and work together to raise the needed funds to repair and renew our wonderful asset.

I’m sending in a donation to the Foundation building fund, won’t you join me?

Esto Perpetua National Grange Give t0 the

Building Fund

With many recent and future necessary repairs like the chiller unit and roof replacement, the National Grange is in need of your help. As you know, a good portion of National Grange revenue comes from rental income from our building and helps to keep our member dues low. You can make a difference today and show your pride in our organization and it’s prominence by donating directly to the Building Fund.

PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR PAYMENT DETAILS. _____ I have enclosed a check # _____________ made payable to National Grange. _____ I wish for my donation of $__________ to be made via credit card. (Visa, MasterCard and Discover accepted) Name on card ________________________________________ Signature _____________________________________

Card Number ________________________________________ Expiration Date ________/_________ CVC ________ SEND YOUR CONTRIBUTION to the National Grange at 1616 H St. NW, Washington, DC 20006. You may also go online to www.nationalgrange.org/give to make a contribution today.

GOOD DAY!™ MAGAZINE

10 ®

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a

From the desk of the AMANDA LEIGH BROZANA RIOS

Editor

Over Easter weekend, my husband,

space in front of the house, the

But what does this have to do with

Victor, and I were tackling a few projects

neighbor across the street commented

around the house in that true spring

on the transformation the home had

Well, the entire adventure got me

cleaning and spring spruce up fashion.

made in two years – going from a

thinking… what if we had a Grange

This is the first home we’ve owned

near condemned space to the site of a

hall here? Would we have a work crew

together and it felt like we should get

renovation turned flip, to a home that

that took a weekend in Spring to give it

off to the right start in our first spring

was loved again.

some love and fresh touches? Or if we

Grange?

in the house by de-cluttering a bit and

He asked where I had gotten the

didn’t have a hall, could we encourage

crossing some of those nagging little

petunias and I said from the local

projects off the list.

greenhouse/country store/lunch spot.

what we’d like to see by starting a

I took to the outside railings

He smiled.

first. Since we did our tour I’ve been

“It’s nice to have you in the

thinking about those rusty buggers

neighborhood and to support it. It’s

and it was time to get out the steel

nice to have a neighborhood.”

wool and Rust-Oleum to make them a nice crisp black again.

By creating a flower bed and scraping the old paint from the

You wouldn’t believe how that

transom window before putting on a

simple project made a difference. And

fresh coat, we were visibly taking pride

what a fire it fueled. Over the next 48

in ownership.

hours we cleaned the window frames,

Within two weeks, others on our

using the hose to remove all the dirt

block have trimmed hedges, put in

that gets stuck between the outside

new mulch, gotten the number of

screen and glass pane. We made the

the handyman we used to clean the

mistake of letting the water splash a

gutters and replace a few shingles

bit far and wide and soon saw that our

that were curling and done other

nice white siding wasn’t so white, so

noticeable little things to improve the

out came the scrub brush and heavy-

look of their houses, too.

duty nozzle to do a pseudo power

It felt really good being some of

wash and bring the neighbors to their

the first out of the gate and leading

porches with skeptical expressions.

the pack. I am going to give them all

We waved and chuckled. It’s funny

the benefit of the doubt and assume

what calls you to reflect on words from

they would have gotten around to

Grange ritual.

each of those projects anyway.

“Endeavor

have done something to improve their property, even if it’s as small as reseeding a lawn plagued with weeds and replacing a porch lamp bulb that has been out for years? Could those little things push our community to a greater sense of pride in place and in making what is theirs look its best?

Could we encourage young people to help an elderly neighbor enhance their home, making it an acceptable service project for that pesky graduation requirement?

I’m already

sure

many

become

Granges

leaders

in

have their

communities for beautification efforts, from installing flagpoles to sponsoring memorial banners.

Now I’d love to hear how Granges are taking that effort directly to the people and their homesteads, encouraging, the Overseer in the

But that’s not always the case in

or

many of our small towns as people

Fourth Degree, us to “strive to make

graceful plants; for there is no spot on

age, life-work balance is completely

your homes pleasing—make them

earth so rude as not to be refined by

off kilter and kids who used to come

more and more attractive.”

their presence, and none so adorned

home to help with annual repairs live

as not to be graced by their beauty

farther and can’t take the time off

community programs or contests you

and fragrance,” Flora tells us in the

they would like. These small projects

sponsor that encourage those in your

Second Degree.

start stacking up and soon we wonder

neighborhood to make their homes

where the cute little town has gone

attractive and well-maintained and

that we fell in love with.

we’ll share it in a future issue!

with

surround

congratulate those homeowners who

your

dwellings

to

recognition program of some sort to

twining

vines

I went and bought three hanging baskets and as I pulled into my parking

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Send

us

information

about

11

OP-ED

Don’t put life on the line when it comes to meds

By Jennifer Beamon Member, Hamburg Grange #2103, PA Both of my kids got sick within a few months of each other and were prescribed something that I had to go pick up at our local Rite Aid. When I arrived I was told both times that the prescription was around $200 and insurance wouldn’t cover any of that.

We are fortunate that we didn’t need to purchase the prescriptions because they were not life altering, just recommendations from the doctor. However, I read articles online and hear stories regularly about people who are not as fortunate and who need to spend hundreds of dollars every month on necessary prescriptions to keep their quality of life.

I work in the lab of a global pharmaceutical company where my team tests over-the-counter products. Our company is also responsible for some prescription-drug manufacturing at other sites.

We are audited regularly by the FDA and we follow regulations that are set by the FDA. If they come for an audit

and they find anything out of compliance we have the possibility of being fined or even shut down. Luckily, we have never experienced anything close to that during my employment.

My husband also works at the same company and was involved in an audit a couple years ago. He can tell you how stressful it is to be in a room with people who can change your future and your company’s future in the blink of an eye.

Give one answer they don’t approve of and you could be in big trouble.

Those kinds of auditors, regulations, and rules are not easy to find outside of the United States.

Our company also deals heavily with Canada due to our product market there.

They have rules and regulations, but not like the FDA. If I am buying a drug in the U.S., made in the U.S., I have a comforting feeling knowing that it’s safe.

We used to have lab-wide meetings where we discussed audits of other companies, some outside of the U.S. We consistently saw one country that sold drugs to the U.S. and was not following the

rules set forth by the FDA. They had a lot of manufacturing sites shut down because of doing “their own thing.”

Reading about what they did and didn’t do was really eye-opening. There are companies around the world who, for whatever reason, don’t follow the rules, whether it be for money savings, time savings, or otherwise.

Knowing what I know from inside the pharmaceutical industry, I would be very hesitant to put my life at risk for a cheaper drug from outside the U.S. It’s time for something to give in this prescription drug battle of money for medicines versus money for food/shelter, but we must keep our own health in mind during this battle. No one’s life is worth the risk of accepting prescriptions from outside of the United States.

However, we must investigate a way to make these medicines more affordable for all.

Jennifer Beamon is a third-generation Grange member from Lebanon, PA. She has worked as a Quality Control Analyst at Bayer for the past eight years.

MAILBAG

Region is ready to welcome members for 153rd Annual Convention The 2019 Midwest Regional Planning Committee for National Grange Session would like to welcome you to the Midwest Region. We invite you to travel back to our Grange roots here in Minnesota, home of Oliver Hudson Kelley, one of the seven founders of our Order and the man with the idea of creating the “Patrons of Husbandry.”

Join us in our journey of “Essential Roots United In Growth” as we learn new and exciting ways to share Grange with others. Take time to visit the Kelley Farm on one of our three different tours to this historic site.

Sign up for your favorite meals with other members. We are hoping for some excellent speakers to join us in the Midwest that will be announced soon.

Our hotel is surrounded by additional eating establishments within walking distance. For your shopping pleasure the Mall of America is only a short shuttle trip away. Visit the registration table before heading to the mall and receive a coupon booklet filled with coupons for you to use while shopping.

With all that outside entertainment, we hope you enjoy what we have planned for you.

The committee and I look forward to seeing everyone at the 153rd Annual Session of the National Grange in Bloomington, Minnesota.

Fraternally yours, Karie Blasingame Convention Host Chair

GOOD DAY!™ MAGAZINE

12 ®

www.nationalgrange.org

OP-ED

Social media: Our membership’s salvation

By Theodore “Teddy” Secor Member, Stanford Grange #808, NY We are surrounded, in many regards, by media. Are you reading this paper right now? Then you are using media.

Have you read any books lately? You used media. There are other forms of media too, such as paintings, but one form that sticks out the most is social media. With social media I can communicate with people from all around the world and they can communicate with me. It has been around for quite some time and it is here to stay.

To use social media is to use any other form of media. If you want to put an event in a local newspaper, you call the local newspaper. If you want to put up a sign for an event, you put up a sign for an event. If you want to broadcast your message wider and faster, you advertise events on social media websites such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and even YouTube to let people all around you know that your Grange does things.

These websites at first seem to be user-unfriendly, but they are quite helpful.

First, you will need to create your own email address for the Grange. The two websites that can give you the most valuable email experience, in my opinion, are Google and Microsoft Office. Google has a program called Gmail and Microsoft Office has Outlook. Emails require a first name and last name, preferably

the name of the Grange hall making the account; a birthday for the account, this should be the subordinate Grange hall’s charter date; a gender for the account, this one does not matter that much but should be female out of respect for the Graces; and a username and password are necessary, two things that the members who will have access to the account will remember.

After making your email account, which will allow you to receive and send out information quite effectively, you will need to start a social media outlet for your Grange hall. This next part is where you and your Grange can decide what platform you would like to use. The most notable websites for this type of broadcasting are Instagram and Facebook.

Other websites, such as Tumblr and Snap Chat, are useful, but for the purposes of an information base the former listed are more useful. Once a Grange starts an account with one of these websites, using their newly acquired email, they can start posting!

Although social media is unmoving, we as an organization have come to struggle with it; that can also change.

Our organization using media is not unusual nor is it new. A few Grange halls use Instagram, some have a personal website that they rely on, and other Granges use a Facebook page to communicate ideas. In any circumstance, those Granges can communicate with their communities, and other Granges, at

lightning fast speeds. Referring to posting on websites, a Grange’s “message”, events, and ideas can be seen by more people than traditional platforms, such as newspaper and fliers. To boot, the cost of posting such things is $0.00 and a little dedication. So, for the Grange halls who cannot afford to pay newspapers all the time, this is a solution to your needs. If you need help with your websites at any time, ask around your communities. Ask your sons and daughters, your grandsons and granddaughters. Anyone who can provide just a little help or advice is worth the world. It also does not hurt to try and recruit people while having them help you on your social media campaigns such as sons, daughters, nieces, nephews, brothers, sisters, etc.

If you follow those steps, I am sure your Grange will be doing a service for itself and the community. When more people are aware of what we do, more people will feel inclined to support us, join us, and take an active part in making their community a better place. Harken back to the days when a Grange would take up the front page of a newspaper with events and people could look to our Granges as community centers where everyone is welcome. Imagine those days being reborn just by simply adopting small measures, small steps, and small efforts such as using social media. We can make our towns, villages, and cities reborn with a piece of life they are missing: a center for everyone, by everyone.

Anyone can enjoy documentary on VT Granges Rooted: Cultivating Community in the Vermont Grange goes inside the Grange to explore how it has worked to strengthen and preserve rural communities since 1867.

The documentary, which is about 50 minutes long, explores the social, economic, political, and agricultural effects the National Grange has had on Vermont’s rural communities for the past 150 years. The film weaves archival images and oral histories with footage of modern-day Grange events to paint a comprehensive picture of the organization and the New Englanders it supports.

Get your copy today. Order by email at info@grangefoundation.org or by phone with Amanda at (301) 943-1090.

GOOD DAY!™ MAGAZINE A limited number are available for $10 each, payable to the Grange Foundation. www.nationalgrange.org ®

The

Grange

Foundation

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Grange

R ev iv a l Complete & return ASAP to: Christine Hamp, 16418 N Birdie Road, Nine Mile Falls, WA 99026.

Call or text (509) 953-3533 to reserve cabins or full hook-up campsites in advance.

GRANGE REVIVAL 2019

REGISTRATION

_______ I am attending on my own, not as part of an established group _______ I am attending as part of an established group For group registrations: Please indicate the NAME of the responsible PARTY ORGANIZER who we should contact regarding event details and payment. _________________________________________________ You do not need to have all members of your party register at the same time or arrive/attend the event on all of the same days, but please be sure they know the name of their PARTY ORGANIZER to put on their registration forms so we can place families/groups together on site.

Bring your friends. You need not be a Grange member to attend.

REGISTRATION FEE PER PERSON (by age) Pre-Junior (0-4 yrs old): $20 Junior (5-13 yrs old): $35 Youth (14-35 yrs old): $60 Subordinate (36+ yrs old): $70 Golden Sheaf members: $60 Some activities at Grange Revival may be require certain safety gear/equipment rental or supply purchase for a small fee. A full schedule will be provided in early 2019 with fee information and additional options may be posted prior to or at the time of the event. If you have ideas for activities or questions, please email grangerevival@gmail.com.

LODGING FLAT RATES (one-time fee PER PARTY) Lodging reservation deposit is non-refundable.

Dry tent or car site $10 Dry RV w/ access to dump site $25 Hook-up RV, tent or car site*

$60 Cabins - Variable; see Lodging Registration *A max of 8 people are allowed per hookup site. No max for dry sites. ** Non-refundable 50% deposit due upon registration to hold spot for any hook-up camping sites and 25% non-refundable deposit for any cabins; first-come, first-served basis. Spots not paid in full by February 1, 2019 will be released to waitlist.

EVENT REGISTRATION Your Name _________________________________________________________________ Expected Shirt Size __________ Registration type: ______ Pre-Junior ______ Junior ______ Youth _______ Subordinate ______ Golden Sheaf Address _________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

Phone ______________________________ Email ____________________________________________________________ How do you plan to get to Grange Revival? _____ Driving _____ Seeking Carpool _____ Flying _____ Other/Unsure What days do you plan to attend Grange Revival?

____ July 23 (arrive after 8 a.m.) ____ July 24 ____ July 25 ____ July 26 ____ July 27 ____ July 28 (leave by noon)

LODGING RESERVATION _____ Dry camping, no dump/hookups ($10 one time)

______ tent ______ car _____ RV

_____ Hook-up camping ($60 one time)

______ tent ______ car _____ RV

_____ Cabin Rental (one time rental fee, varies, see chart)

(Cabin name: __________________________________)

_____ Off-Property By signing below, I understand and agree to the following:

I will not damage event property and will report any defects with venue property to the owners/employees of Mulberry Mountain as soon as possible. I will attain necessary licenses and use recommended safety equipment while on property. I will assist in keeping the grounds clean and listen to all instructions related to campfires, cooking, swimming, recreational water use, etc. Campfires may only be created in approved facility fire rings. If I bring any weapon, including a firearm, large knife or other object, it will be secured by lock in my vehicle or other place where access by attendees is restricted. I will not smoke indoors in any part of the facility and I will not bring or consume any illegal drugs. I will not engage in or enable any minor to engage in underage drinking.

I will not be inebriated when tending to a fire, participating in water activities or any other activity that may put myself or others at harm.

If I am the responsible party for a minor child, I will ensure the child has appropriate chaperones if outside of my immediate care. I may be asked to leave the event with no refund if I violate any of these policies or act inappropriately for a Grange event. If I provide a form of payment that is declined or returned, I will be charged an additional $40 insufficient funds fee that must be satisfied before the end of the close of the event or within 5 days after the event ends. I understand I will sign a full conduct and rules policy prior to or at the event and that this is an introductory piece to that full agreement. _________________________________________________________ Signature (of attendee, or if attendee is under 18, of parent/guardian)

CABIN FLAT RATES (one-time fee for full event rental) You may choose to split the cost for this rental with attendees who stay in the cabin with you as you see fit.

You may work with another attendee or set of attendees to take the cabin rental for part of the week. Once the cabin is booked, you may choose how many and who to allow to sleep/use your cabin. We will not be responsible to assist you with finding cabin-mates or filling the cabin on days you may not be able to use it. B=bedroom; LR=Living room Dower House

B1: 1 King + 1 Full; B2: Twin

Annie’s Cabin

$1,350

Bedroom 1: 2 Full; Living Room: Full Sleeper Sofa

River Cabin

$1,500

B1: 1 Queen + 1 Full; B2: 1 Full

Lakeside Cottage

$1,000

B1: 1 Queen; LR: Sleeper Sofa

Star II Cabin

$1,750

B1: 1 Queen; B2: 1 Full; B3: 1 Full; LR: Sleeper Sofa

Star I Cabin

$1,125

B1: 1 Queen; B2: 2 Twins; laundry.

Outlook Cabin

$750

B1: 1 Queen

Barn Loft

$1,250

$2,000

B1: 1 Queen; B2: 1 Queen + 1 Full; LR: Sleeper Sofa

_____________________ Date

PAYMENT (Group registrations and/or lodging reservations may be made in one payment for all/some attendees in the party. Please attach/enclose registration forms of all those who are covered by your payment.)

Registration(s) Indicate number of each.

Subtotal $________________

_____ Pre-Junior (x$20) _____ Junior (x$35) _____ Youth (x$60) _____ Subordinate (x$70) _____ Golden Sheaf (x$60)

Lodging

_____ Pay in Full _____ Deposit only at this time (25% of cabin rate; 50% of hook-up rate; 100% dry rate)

Subtotal $________________

TOTAL PAYMENT TODAY: $________________ All hook-up sites and cabins must be paid in full by February 1, 2019. ____ Pay by enclosing check/money order made out to Grange Revival ____ Please Bill me via PayPal. Send invoice to email (if different from above:) ____________________________________ ____ Please charge my credit card $_____________ (total registration fee+lodging deposit/fee)

Card # _______________________________________________________ Exp. Date ____________ CVC ____________

COMPLETE AND RETURN ASAP TO: Christine Hamp, 16418 N Birdie Road, Nine Mile Falls, WA 99026.

Call or text (509) 953-3533 to reserve cabins or full hook-up campsites in advance.

©2019 America’s Biopharmaceutical Companies.

Innovation.org

Our 140,000 biopharmaceutical researchers are bold, brave and only half of our story.

The other half are the brave men, women and children fighting their diseases every day. They are the reason behind the research. It is their lives that inspire our life’s work. Together, we are going to find incredible cures for terrible diseases.

Welcome to the future of medicine. For all of us.

Maysoun / Biopharmaceutical Researcher

GRANGE ADVOCACY PARTNER ADVERTORIAL JOB: PHR-GEN-Y03751_Client

17

Honoring

L egacy

THE BUILDERS OF OUR

MEMBERSHIP ANNIVERSARIES 85 YEARS CONTINUOUS MEMBERSHIP Ohio • Ada Spillman, Timber Run Grange #1898

GRANGE MILESTONES 125 YEARS OF CONTINUOUS SERVICE

Pennsylvania • Norman O. Merkel, Virginville Grange #1832

80 YEARS CONTINUOUS MEMBERSHIP Connecticut • Helen Molodich, Ekonk Community Grange #89

• Wakeman Grange #1399, Ohio • Fairfield Grange #1408, Ohio • Dublin Grange #1409, Ohio

100 YEARS OF CONTINUOUS SERVICE

Massachusetts • Barbara Chamberlain, Boxborough Grange #131 • Marjorie Hall, Dartmouth Grange #162

• • • •

South Lake Stebens Grange #690, Washington Espanola Grange #698, Washington Oxford Grane #2211, Ohio Lake Grove Grange #2192, Indiana

75 YEARS CONTINUOUS MEMBERSHIP Connecticut • Phyllis Beard, Cheshire Grange #23 • Florine Wheeler, Prospect Grange #144 • Ruth Young, Lyme Grange #147

Oregon • Wilma Guttridge, Springwater Grange #263 • Marilyn Kirchhofer, Abernethy Grange #346

Illinois • Maurice Vale, Turkey Hill Grange #1370 Maine • Barbara Dalgaard, Norway Grange #45 Massachusetts • Phyllis Foss, Boxborough Grange #131 • Carlton Macomber, Westport Grange #181 • Kenneth Peterson Sr., Boxborough Grange #131 • Arline Tripp, Westport Grange #181

Pennsylvania • Dilmon Dunbar, Ondawa Grange #174 • Charles Kissling, Bernville Grange #1887 • Paul J. Miller, Virginville Grange #1832 • Betty Naser, Chestnut Ridge Grange #1133 • Keith Robbins, Ondawa Grange #174 • Robert Stewart, Rural Valley Grange #1750 • Feryl J. Treichler, Virginville Grange #1832 • Jean A. Wetzel, Virginville Grange #1832 • Wilbur R. Zendt, Walker Grange #786

New York • Lloyd Neamon, Curriers Grange #1273 Ohio • Loene Kelby, Laurel Grange #1678 • Louis Morrison, Clarksburg Grange #2657 • Dean Baughman, Timber Run Grange #1898 • Ida Cooper, Timber Run Grange #1898 • Betty Smith, Timber Run Grange #1898 • Marvin Moore, Monroe-Dan Emmett Grange #847

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GOOD DAY!™ MAGAZINE www.nationalgrange.org

50 YEARS CONTINUOUS MEMBERSHIP Connecticut • Dorothy Achin, North Stonington Grange #138 • Milton Banker, North Stonington Grange #138 • Fred Camp, Bethlehem Grange #121 • Robert Chatfield, Prospect Grange #144 • Charles R. Coles, Ekonk Community Grange #89 • William Firgelewski, Lyme Grange #147 • Albert Maddox, Bethlehem Grange #121 • Clyde Myers, North Stonington Grange #138 • Gloria White, North Stonington Grange #138 • Richard J. Wood, Ekonk Community Grange #89 • Sandee Wood, Ekonk Community Grange #89 Delaware • Donna O’Day, Reliance Grange #58 Florida • Roslyn Heath, South Putnam Grange #206 Idaho • Bonniejean Powell, York Grange #253 • Marlene Rogers, York Grange #253 Illinois • Earl David, Hopewell Grange #1747 • Judy Eckert, Turkey Hill Grange #1370 • Marsden Eisloeffel, Turkey Hill Grange #1370 • Joyce Keller, Hopewell Grange #1747 • Alice Jung, Turkey Hill Grange #1370 • Linda Rensing, Broad Hollow Grange #1806 • Roger Ross, Turkey Hill Grange #1370 Maine • Paul Billings, Alder River Grange #145 • Sharon Blake, Medomac Valley Grange #175 • Kenneth C. Butterfield, Lakeside Grange #63 • Roberta Meserve, Danville Junction Grange #65 • Marilyn Tozier, Victor Grange #49 • Roy Wallace, Topsham Grange #37 • Orman Wheeler, Victor Grange #49 Massachusetts • Calvin C. Chase Jr., Dunstable Grange #31 • Cynthia L. Mason, Holden Grange #78 • Joanne Notsley, Williamstown Grange #336 • John Notsley, Williamstown Grange #336 • Norma Patten, Guiding Star Grange #1 • Gloria Popp, Sterling Grange #53 New Hampshire • Pamela Kimball, Meriden Grange #151 New York • Glenn Barringer, Wheeler Grange #1416 • Betty Jane Danaher, Stanford Grange #808 • Doris M. Hurlbut, Castle Creek Grange #1459 • Lindsey Marolf, Beaver Falls Grange #554 • Allan Marolf, Beaver Falls Grange #554 • Barbara Mills, Wheeler Grange #1416 • Ralph Williams , Beaver Falls Grange #554 • Valorie T. Woolley, Marcellus Grange #464

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Ohio • Larry Ball, Timber Run Grange #1898 • Judy Blue, Goshen Grange #578 • Betty Conner, Valley College Grange #1872 • Cindy Echelberry, Timber Run Grange #1898 • Daryl Flowers, Goshen Grange #578 • Mary Jewell, Monroe-Dan Emmett Grange #847 • Jean Stout, Miami Grange #2158 • Chuck Strayer, Miami Grange #2158 Oregon • Ruth Cholin, Terrebonne Grange #663 • Sharon Cyrus, Terrebonne Grange #663 • Donald Kingsborough, Warner Grange #117 • Patricia Kingsborough, Warner Grange #117 • Bruce Moore, Pine Grove Grange #356 • Patrick Moore, Pine Grove Grange #356 • Sylvestra Thompson, Terrebonne Grange #663 • Dan Volker, Clarkes Grange #261 Pennsylvania • Freda Carper, Lincoln Grange #914 • Jeanette Doane, Tioga Grange #1223 • Mary J. Eaken, Bernville Grange #1887 • Mary Finch, Harveys-Aleppo Grange #1444 • Ardith Harkness, Ondawa Grange #174 • Kathleen Harkness, Ondawa Grange #174 • Lyle Harkness, Ondawa Grange #174 • Vaughn Harkness, Ondawa Grange #174 • Carolyn B. Hollenback, Virginville Grange #1832 • John H. Keith, Lincoln Grange #914 • Nellis Leonheart, Hayfield Grange #800 • Marilyn R. Miller, Virginville Grange #1832 • J. Wayne Stanton, Walker Grange #786 • Trudy A. Wagner, Walker Grange #786 • Dina B. Zug, Walker Grange #786 Rhode Island • Sharon Hazard, Slocum Grange #36 • Harry McCray, Slocum Grange #36 Washington • Robert Anderson, Violet Prairie Grange #996 • Vicki Angwood, Lincoln Creek Grange #407 • Leona Cramer, Oakview Grange #311 • Nancy L. Fox, Logan Grange #1086 • William F. Fox Jr., Logan Grange #1086 • Dorlan Hergesheimer, Greenwood Park Grange #590 • Helen Juris, Alder Creek Grange #890 • Pamela J. Martin, Kellogg Marsh Grange #136 • Marie Miller, Alder Creek Grange #890 • Eileen Owens, Newaukum Grange #198 • Jerry Owens, Newaukum Grange #198 • Wayne Pitts, Mossyrock Grange #355 • Larry Roberts, Alder Creek Grange #890 • Sandra Rude, Fredonia Grange #545 • N.D. Smith, Greenwood Park Grange #590 • Jan Stemkoski, Newaukum Grange #198 • Lester Walling, Alder Creek Grange #890 • Mary Lou Woody, Washington Grange #82 • Hazel Yantis, Newaukum Grange #198 • Herbert Yantis, Newaukum Grange #198

GOOD DAY!™ MAGAZINE www.nationalgrange.org

19

MEMORIAL NOTICE POLICY

MEMORIAL NOTICES MADELIN ANDREWS Past Delegate Madelin D. Andrews, Past National Delegate, passed away April 26 at her home in Sarasota, Florida.

Madelin worked for IBM in Endicott and Poughkeepsie, NY, from 194252. The family moved their dairy farm from Dutchess County, NY, in 1956 to Sarasota where she continued as an accomplished farm wife.

She was a 58-year member of the Grange where she held numerous offices/committee appointments for the local, State and National levels. Madelin served as secretary of Tamiami Pomona for 50 years, she served as Florida State Grange Treasurer for many years.

Madelin is survived by her three children, Jack Andrews and wife, Karen;

Cindy Long and husband, Johnny; and Carolyn Kulick-Siddall, all of Sarasota; seven grandchildren; and six greatgrandchildren She was preceded in death by her husband, D. Vincent Andrews; parents, Eugene and Lula Daley; and brother, Eugene Daley III. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be sent to Florida School for the Deaf and Blind, 207 San Marco Ave, St. Augustine, FL 32084 or Tidewell Hospice of Sarasota.

Cards and condolences may be sent to Cindy Long, 9229 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, FL 34240; Jack Andrews, 9305 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, FL 34240; or Carolyn Kulick-Siddal, 2833 Indianwood Drive, Sarasota, FL 34232.

SHARYN L. WETMORE Past National Delegate Sharyn L. Wetmore Burkle, Past National Delegate, 70, of Hamden, Connecticut, passed away on April 9, 2019. Born in New Haven on April 27, 1948, she was the daughter of the late Edward and Lorayn (Peet) Hooghkirk.

Sharon was preceded in death by her husbands, Duane K. Wetmore and Richard Burkle.

She is survived by her daughters, Sharyl (Friend) Pavlisko and her husband Joseph of Meriden and Tammy (Friend) Vertucci of Wallingford; grandchildren Taryn Pavlisko, Nicholette, Joey, and Mario Vertucci; her dearest cousin Linda Vanacore and her husband Ronald of Hamden; best friends Beth and John Battick; aunt Charlotte Peet; nieces and nephews Ronald (Alisa) Vanacore, Michael (Jessica) Vanacore, Logan,

20

Tyler, and Dylan Vanacore, and Kim and George Peet. A resident of Hamden all her life, Sharyn was employed by the Town of Hamden as a clerk in the Tax Department for years, and later worked at the Margaret L. Keefe Center.

Sharyn was a longtime member, along with her husband Duane, of the Hamden Grange, and she also was a Justice of the Peace and a Notary Public. Most of all, Sharyn was known for her love of her horses over the years.

Contributions in Sharyn’s memory may be made to CT Draft Horse, 113 Chestnut Hill Rd., East Hampton, CT 06424 or to Wounded Warrior Project, 4899 Bedford Rd. Suite 300, Jacksonville, FL 32256. Cards and condolences may be sent to Pat Palmer, 622 Jerusalem Road, Windham, CT 06280.

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GOOD DAY!™ MAGAZINE www.nationalgrange.org

The information about the passing of Past Delegates and Officers of the National Grange, as well as substantial National figures is provided by the National Chaplain upon receipt of the information from informed members in State Granges. If you know of a memorial that should be included, please email communications@ nationalgrange.org and the information will be forwarded to the National Chaplain. You may also call (202) 628-3507 ext. 113 and provide the information to Samantha who will forward it to the National Chaplain.

GRANGE & MEMBERSHIP RECOGNITION If your Grange is celebrating 100, 125 or 150 years of service to your community, please contact Loretta Washington at the National Grange six weeks in advance of your celebration to receive a plaque and letter for $10, including shipping. The names of Granges celebrating 150 years will also be engraved on a perpetual plaque hung at the National Grange Headquarters.

As of March 2017, shipping and handling (s/h) charges for Golden Sheaf and 75 Year membership awards increased to match all other Grange Supply Store s/h charges. Golden Sheaf certificates and 75-Year Diamond Certificates are $10 each plus shipping & handling based on order total. Order total up to $10: $4 s/h; $10.01-$19.99: $5 s/h; $20-$49.99: $7 s/h; $50-$74.99: $9 s/h; $75-$99.99 : $10 s/h; $100-$124.99: $12 s/h; $125$249.99: $15 s/h; $250+: $20 s/h.

CORRECTION 75-year member Lauria Mitchell was listed in the previous issue as being in New Jersey. Hinsdale Grange #19 is in Massachusetts. We apologize for the error.

The Paradox of Leadership Lessons from the Little Red Hen

By Joe Stefenoni

Paradox: noun.

A statement or proposition that seems self-contradictory or absurd but in reality, expresses a possible truth.

National Grange Membership & Leadership Development Director Growing up, I like many, had my own set of the Little Golden Books.

One of the best-known stories from that collection is the story of the Little Red Hen. For those who haven’t read the story in a while, here’s a quick refresher. In this fable the little red hen finds a kernel of wheat. Wanting to make bread, the little red hen asks the other animals in the barnyard animals to assist in the tasks required to get from grain of wheat to loaf of bread.

When the other animals refuse to help, the hen plants the wheat herself. At every step of the process (harvesting, threshing, milling and baking) the hen asks the other barnyard animals for help, but at each request they give an excuse of why they cannot help. When the work is done and it is time to eat

organizations start to turn inward, not wanting to share the “bread” of their labors; just like the Little Red Hen does at the end of the story. While this works at the end of the story, it is not the best way to operate at a leader, a team, or an organization.

or have more experience than you to

So how does this story apply to the

learn from their successes and failures,

Grange as an organization? There are

giving you different approaches to

six points that we can pull from the Lit-

tasks.

tle Red Hen to improve our leadership, teamwork and relationships.

Third, evaluate your resources. The little red hen knew she had to plant the

the bread, all of the animals in the

First, rewards come to those who

single kernel of wheat to be able to

barnyard who didn’t participate in the

contribute. Yes this is the central thesis

harvest enough wheat to make bread.

process of making the bread were the

of the story, but looking deeper, this

As Grange leaders we have to make

first volunteers to eat the bread. The

means that change will happen be-

sure we use the resources available

little red hen refuses them and instead

cause of contribution from leaders. As

to us as efficiently as possible, which

shares the bread with her chicks, leav-

an organization, we are always looking

include both financial and human re-

ing none for anyone else.

for ways to change and adapt to the

sources. When we have resources

Believe it or not, there are some

modern world in which we operate.

come available to us, do we consume

parallels between this timeless fable

Change will not occur only by talking

them immediately, or do we look to

and service organizations that are led

about it, it occurs because leaders

the future and project what resourc-

by volunteers (like the Grange). Often

step up and make it happen.

es will be needed then to sustain our

times, as leaders of these organiza-

Second, listen to those who have

Grange? Managing resources applies

tions we fall victim to the “Little Red

“been there, done that”. Not only will

not only to our financial and human

Hen Syndrome” where a small group

this help you as a leader build a foun-

resources, but to our opportunities as

of people do the work and a large

dation on which to build, it will allow

well. How often do we say that we say

group take advantage of the benefits

you to gain experience from things

that our Grange never has opportuni-

of that work. The result of the little

that have been tried before. Especial-

ties for growth or to build connections

red hen syndrome makes leaders and

ly listen to those who might be wiser

in the community? But is this because

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we as leaders have not taken the time to look for or think

Most importantly, good behavior begets good behavior.

through the best ways to utilize the opportunities available

In the story, had all the barnyard animals agreed to help the

to us?

little red hen, the environment in the barnyard would’ve

Fourth, small efforts can turn into big payoffs. Accomplishing great tasks makes us feel good as members of an organization. These great tasks are always made up of a series of smaller things working towards a single goal. Many times the first small accomplishment is having a member

been much better. If the first animal to help the hen with the work had said yes, it is much more likely that the other animals would have pitched in as well. Academic research shows that people are influenced by the opinions and be-

(new or old) say “How can I help?” When this happens, be

haviors of those around them. Both positive and negative

ready to have a task or job ready to go for that person, and

behaviors will snowball, and it is the responsibility of the

potentially a mentor.

members to hold leaders accountable for their actions, but

Fifth, learn how to make results happen. Just as the lit-

it is everyone’s responsibility to lead by example.

tle red hen made fresh bread starting with just a kernel of

In the story, the bread baked by the little red hen was a

wheat, as leaders we have to take small inputs and create

private good, meaning that she could control who received

large results from them.

Sixth, service is its own reward. As Grange members service is a natural activity for us. What is important as leaders though is that we remember that service is a selfless act. We

a portion of the bread to enjoy. Our organization is also a private good where someone has to become a member to participate in most of the benefits of membership. Howev-

do not serve to receive awards, accolades or recognitions.

er, the service activities and projects our Granges do are a

While these are nice and will help promote the Grange in

quasi-public good where a large group of people receive

your community and the Grange as an organization, it is not

the benefits without having to be a member or having to

the driving reason for our service.

contribute to the planning and implementation.

As leaders and as individual Grange members all of

Herein lies the paradox of leadership: we cannot keep

these things work towards building and improving the cul-

the “bread” for our self; we have to share our “bread”

ture of our organization. In todays world, especially with younger generations, organizational culture can be a make or break in terms of recruiting and retaining members. A good culture can also improve the relationship between members and teams. This culture begins with the shared

with those in our communities both to fulfill our mission of service and to build our name recognition to bring in new members. If we only complain about those who don’t serve on committees or contribute to the planning and execution

attitude that teams united in a common goal or task are

of activities (they aren’t helping to bake the bread), then we

more efficient and effective. This applies to individuals,

create a negative culture within our membership. Having

committees and a whole Grange.

the opportunity to serve is the reward we receive.

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GOOD DAY!™ MAGAZINE www.nationalgrange.org

Follow these steps to have more fun fundraising

By Philip J. Vonada Member, Penns Valley Grange #158 (PA) Fundraising.

In a way, it seems like a “dirty” word. Another f-word that we try to not talk about. As charitable organizations though, Granges need to be thinking about “fundraising” on a regular basis so we can continue contributing to our communities. As a manager of a nonprofit company, fundraising is always in my mind - what can we do that is unique, and doesn’t require our members to be selling candy or raffle tickets, or is more community-driven than something like a spaghetti dinner or a pancake breakfast?

At Pennsylvania’s Youth Camp this past summer, the theme was “Fun for All Grangers,” and focused on carnival-type games and activities. Inspired by a fundraiser my county’s Granges did some years ago, I presented a workshop on using a carnival as a fundraiser. The following are some basic ideas on setting up a specific fundraiser, and are applicable to ANY kind of fundraising, not just a carnival! Having a well-organized and well-run fundraiser is important to ensure that you are going to raise funds, and not end in a deficit.

Step 1 - Who is doing the Fundraising Well, this should be obvious, it’s your Grange - whether your community, Pomona, or some combination of Granges.

But maybe you could do a joint fundraiser with a local YMCA, hospital, SPCA, veterans group, fire company, or other organization important to your community. (This can also help grow the manpower in planning this fundraiser, as well as the reach of potential attendees.)

Is this fundraiser specifically for your Grange, or is it a benefit for a family in need, your local fire company, or other organizations in your area? If you intend for the funds to benefit multiple community service projects, find a way to showcase those potential projects!

If your Grange doesn’t have one already, make sure to get a copy of your non-profit Tax ID number (EIN) for when you begin soliciting donations. Your bank has this recorded on your account, or your State Grange office may have it on record.

Step 2 - Build a Committee While fundraisers benefit the organization as a whole, everyone can’t be in charge at once. Creating a committee of dedicated volunteers to run the planning of the fundraiser is important - and even more important is picking a Chairperson who can oversee the whole event. This person should

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not be doing the bulk of the planning, but should make sure that planning is ongoing in subcommittees, and looking at the larger picture. Some subcommittee ideas for a carnival-themed fundraiser include: - Budget - Games - Food - Sales - Venue (if it’s not at your Grange Hall) - Prizes - Marketing - Donor and Sponsor Solicitation - Decorating - Volunteer Recruitment - Setup/Tear Down - Entertainment - Security Of course, this list is by no means complete or all-inclusive.

Each event-driven fundraiser will have its own list of subcommittees. And some of these can even be broken down further.

Step 3 - Budgeting Remember - the main goal of your fundraiser is… to raise funds! So setting a smart budget is important - you want to run the event by spending as little money as possible to bring in enough to ensure a financial success. You can’t just CREATE a budget, you have to STICK to the budget - look at as many aspects as possible, and set realistic goals!

Step 4 - Pick a theme!

“But isn’t ‘carnival’ enough of a theme?” you may be asking… And sure, you can run with that - there’s absolutely nothing wrong with it! But if you’re holding your carnival near a holiday, or you’re raising funds for a specific project, maybe you can theme your carnival around it.

For example, are your holding a fundraiser for your Grange’s food pantry? How about a food-themed carnival?

Is the date of your carnival near Halloween? How about a haunted house-themed event?

Are your funds allocated toward that new handicap-accessible bathroom for your Grange Hall? How about a bathroom-themed fundraiser? (It’s not as crazy as you may think!)

Step 5 - Licenses Make sure you have everything you need to legally hold your fundraiser - double check your local small games of chance license, your insurance is up to date, and you have any necessary event permits for selling food, drinks, or whatever your municipality may require.

Step 6 - Donations It may surprise you, but many local businesses are frequently

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willing to donate gift cards or certificates, or small items as prizes for fundraisers.

Check with restaurants, stores, theaters, event centers, etc. Provide them with a letter of solicitation - introduce yourself/your Grange, your cause, and see if there’s something you can give them in return. Other companies may be willing to give cash donations - maybe adding a local company as a corporate sponsor for your event could be a bonus. Plus that company then gets some publicity, too!

Ask your committee members or Grange members to donate as well, whether prizes, food to sell that day, or cash to get things “flowing.” You can also pre-sell carnival tickets at a discount so you can start rolling!

ing? Your Grange is probably home to at least one incredibly creative person who would be willing to take charge of making your food stand more exciting.

If you don’t want to sell the food yourself (it can be a hassle…) then consider asking another organization to come sell - Lion’s Clubs, churches, your local Rotary?

Somebody is bound to want to help out!

Step 7 - Food?

Are you selling food? (Here’s a hint: you probably want to!) Carnival food can be made for incredibly cheap and sold for a great return. How much does it cost for a hot dog and bun, then selling it (even for $2) will get you a great return. In fact, this may be one of the biggest income-generators at your carnival! But think outside of the box, beyond “standard” carnival fare. Can you theme it? Can you make it more excit-

Step 9 - Entertainment While the carnival games themselves are the highlight of the event (we’re getting there…), how else can you spice it up? Think of inviting local bands for a battle of the bands, or a karaoke contest, or a dance off? How can you tailor this carnival to suit your audience?

Also look for some other activities maybe you have a silent auction going, or a white elephant sale, or a wine-pull wall? There are a myriad of ways that

Step 8 - Partnerships Are there other vendors you would like to invite? Is somebody in your Grange an independent salesperson of LuLaRoe, Tastefully Simple, etc.? Consider selling stalls to these salespeople - who can also use their audience and market as potential customers for your fundraiser!

you can add other income-driven events to your fundraiser!

Step 10 - The games!

We’ve finally reached that point. The Games. The key to creating a game for a carnival is to make it cheap and cheesy, and make it fun. Games that are impossible to win aren’t going to draw crowds, so make sure games are playable and winnable, but don’t make them TOO easy, either.

Think of your favorite carnival games, then think of how you can make them “on the cheap.” At Pennsylvania’s Youth Camp, we “reclaimed” cardboard boxes and other arts and craft supplies - construction paper, pipe cleaners, paint and markers - to make our games! Use your creativity!

When you sell tickets to the event, make sure you know how you’re selling the games themselves. Does each game cost a certain number of tickets to play?

Some games should cost more than others. For example, if you sell 20 tickets for $1, then maybe some games cost 2 tickets to play, and some cost 5, and some cost 10 - think through the difficulty of the game. The harder a game is, the more it should cost to play, but the more it should also pay out! A game that is easy to win might only give you one prize ticket, but that hard game might give you 25! YOU get to decide this, but make sure it’s fair!

Step 11 - Prizes!

Remember when you solicited those prize donations earlier? Now it’s time to decide how to give them away! Each prize should be worth a certain number of prize tickets to purchase. Some very small prizes may only cost 1 ticket to cash out (think mini candy bars), but others should be worth 100 or more prize tickets, like a gift card to a local restaurant. You could also lay out a prize table of tiny/small/medium/ large/mega prizes - Laying out prize tables like this and having somebody “cash out” the prizes may simplify your day.

Step 12 - HAVE THE EVENT! I realize that everything in the sub-

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committees hasn’t been covered in this article - that’s impossible to do in a limited number of words. But you’ve marketed, you’ve assigned committees, you’ve got your food, your games, and your prizes, and you’ve got your volunteers to run the day. SO DO IT!! Make sure your volunteers are having fun, and make sure they all have a chance to enjoy the carnival as well. The more excited your staff is, the more likely they’ll be willing to continue selling the event throughout the day.

Step 12.5 - Give Thanks!

Don’t just be thankful that your event was a success, but be thankful for the donors and sponsors of your event. Sending individualized, hand-written thank you notes may seem “old fashioned,” but it’s still the best way to let your supporters know that you recognize their impact on your event and that you appreciate their donation of goods, time, or money. If possible, include a photo or two of the event, especially one that may include the company’s donation in use, or their name displayed with other sponsors of the events. If it’s the kind of event that comes with a program, include a copy of that, too, so they can see that their donation was seen by attendees at the event.

Make sure this is all done within one week of the completion of the fundraiser for maximum impact and recognition of support.

Step 13 - Hold a post-mortem That sounds morbid, but I promise it isn’t! After holding the event, take a week or two to collect your individual thoughts, then meet again as a committee to talk about how

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it went. What went right? What could have been done better?

Gather as much feedback as possible to figure out how your event did! Then stick it all in a fundraising binder so that the next time you hold this kind of fundraiser or event, you don’t have to reinvent the wheel.

Step 14 - Spend those funds you’ve worked hard to raise!

As Granges, our charitable mission should encourage us to be giving our money to other groups in need. If you’ve raised the funds for your bathroom remodel, etc., make sure to update your community on your progress, or else it looks like you’ve just squirreled that money away. People who attend fundraisers want to know that the money they have contributed has gone to a good cause and is being used appropriately. If you donate the money to local organizations, get it written up in a press release, include photos, and send to your local newspapers or even the National Grange’s Good Day! Magazine. The more post-fundraiser exposure you get for your event, the more likely it is that people will support you again, and that includes your donors and sponsors that you’ve already remembered to thank.

Step 15 - Start all over again...

There’s another good cause right around the corner… time to start another fundraiser! Maybe this time, that spaghetti dinner is appropriate, or BINGO night! Switching up the usual fundraising game is a great way for your community to stay involved, and to not overwhelm them with the Easter chocolate sales, or the quilt raffles.

GOOD DAY!™ MAGAZINE www.nationalgrange.org

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Grange Foundation benefits from virtual race It’s not often you hear Grange and think of racing, but in April those online following Grange Foundation, National Grange and other related social media pages heard a lot about just that.

The Foundation was selected as the charity of choice to benefit from registrations for the #stepitupforgood virtual 5k?10K/13.1 race through Run Motivators, a company that organizes events for running enthusiasts that allows them to sign up and complete the chosen distance on their own time and course.

Run Motivators is a company founded by Tracy Bulino, a hometown friend of National Grange Communications and Membership Director Amanda Brozana Rios, who pointed out that you don’t have to be a runner to participate in any of the Run Motivator events, but that is the core of their marketing.

Brozana Rios approached Bulino in January about naming Grange Foundation the April nonprofit of choice for the company to work in conjunction with Grange Month celebrations, which meant that for each registrant for the virtual race from the 1st to 30th of the month, the Foundation received $10.

“I know that not everyone wants to participate in a race, me included, but it’s a good way to introduce the Grange to an avid community of folks already passionate about running, and to allow our members to push the boundaries of their comfort zone and help the Foundation at the same time,” Brozana Rios said.

She was one of the 46 participants who signed up to complete a race - choosing to award herself the heavy-weight medal after walking a total of 5K in a day.

“Three dogs, three long walks and a medal at the end. Not bad,” she said. “It definitely gave me incentive to take the pups out on a nice day and push myself to get active early in the spring season.”

Other participants chose longer single or multi-day efforts or completed their race on wheels instead of on foot.

For Carl Meiss, past Pennsylvania State Grange President, the challenge was easily completed on a gym cycle, and he encouraged other buddies from the gym to join in.

“It got me to talk about Grange in a new way with people I see frequently,” Meiss said.

National Grange Youth Development Director Mandy Bostwick said she really appreciated the different type of fundraiser.

“It definitely appealed to our younger, more active members in a way that sometimes bake sales or quilt raffles don’t,” Bostwick said. “Any way we can get folks to connect with the Grange and give back is a good thing.”

Bostwick completed her race with a colleague and said this

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Submitted Photos Several participants in the virtual 5K to benefit the Grange Foundation show off their medals.

TOP LEFT: Carl Meiss, Pennsylvania.

TOP RIGHT: National Grange Youth Development Director Mandy Bostwick, Kansas.

BOTTOM LEFT: Karie Blasingame, Illinois.

format was great because it didn’t require you to change your life to participate.

“I didn’t have to block off part of a Saturday or go to a place a long way away,” Bostwick said.

Bulino said several of the participants are frequent “racers” who participate in events that seem to strike a cord with them.

“So that means people who aren’t Grangers helped put money into the Foundation coffers, which is something we definitely want to encourage,” Grange Foundation Chairwoman Joan C. Smith said. “This was a great first effort, raising nearly $500 for the Foundation with additional donations that came in noting the fundraiser, and I hope to do more ‘outside the box’ type fundraisers like this in the future.”

But just because the “race” is over, Smith said, “you shouldn’t think we’ve crossed the finish line.”

“Those who wish to support the mission of the Foundation can do so any day, any time. We’re always able to use the funds you provide us to enhance the programs and support the Foundation gives,” Smith said.

GOOD DAY!™ MAGAZINE www.nationalgrange.org

Photos bring farm life to downtown D.C.

By Abigail Sharp

of humans to our environment. I am in-

tographs displayed are of Black Willow

terested in how we cultivate and shape

Pond Farm (Cobleskill, NY), Beaverkill

the land in order to survive. To photo-

Trout Hatchery (Livingston, Manor, NY),

When you think of Grangers, who

graph the farmers in the region where

Hollywood Enterprises/Roedale Farm

do you see? Farmers. Ranchers. Fish-

I live and work is a natural continuation

(Richfield Springs, NY) and Underwood

ermen. Beekeepers. Advocates. Lead-

of this theme.” Bernard is thankful to

Ranch (Unadilla, NY). Each of the pho-

ers. Families. There are many faces of

New York Grange for their support of

tographs in the collection represents

the Grange, each equally important in

this project. He originally got connect-

different industries in agriculture. Many

supporting the purpose of its mission

ed with the Grange because he recog-

are of family-owned farms that have

of ensuring a prosperous future for rural

nized how hard it is to get started in

been passed down through generations

America.

National Grange Legislative Intern

farming, especially when you don’t have

of farmers, while other farms are run by

Wesley Bernard is a photographer

any background in agriculture. Bernard

first generation farmers. A brief look

from Arizona, who is currently an assis-

began visiting local Granges, found the

into the stories of the photographs in

tant professor at the State University of

community and culture of the Grange

the display can be found below.

New York (SUNY) Oneonta. Bernard has

and wanted to capture it.

First, the photograph of Black Wil-

beautifully captured these many faces

Of the twenty-three photographs

low Pond Farm is of the Edsall family

in his collection, To Grow a Farmer. He

in the collection, there are five that are

with a few of their chickens, dogs and

was quoted saying, “My personal work

now displayed in the lobby of the Na-

sheep. After growing up on a dairy farm,

has always centered on the relationship

tional Grange Headquarters. The pho-

Carrie Edsall walked away from life on

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27

a farm to work at the Cornell Cooperative Extension in New York and then North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service.

She decided to move back to New York to start a farm with her family. Today, this farm consists of approximately 70 Katahdin ewes, 1,200 meat chickens, 150 egg-laying chickens, 80-100 turkeys, and an unspecified number of meat rabbits, pigs and dairy heifers. She believes that “farm children are taught responsibility and hard work early on – even if they choose a different path for their future, they will still be rooted in what growing up on a farm did to mold them.” Edsall is a good example of this – she grew up on a farm, left and was successful at her job, and then decided to move back home to start up her own farm. The foundation was built for her at a young age that prepared her for many aspects of life.

Continuing, there are two photographs of Beaverkill Trout Hatchery in the collection, but one of them are hanging in the National Grange Headquarters. The photograph in the display is of the Shaver family and friends standing in front of a red barn. This hatchery began in 1963, and it produces over 250,000 trout each year. The farm has been passed down through generations since its creation. As a producer at the Beaverkill Trout Hatchery, Sherry Shaver believes that her family and friends are continuing the traditions and operations set by previous Shavers with pride. Continuing on the legacies started by our ancestors is a source of great pride, especially when it comes to life on a farm, where you can see the fruit of your labor every day.

There are also two photographs of Hollywood Enterprises/Roedale Farm in the collection. However, only one of them are hanging in the National Grange Headquarters – the photograph with two men leaning against a tractor in a field. Roedale Farm was started in 1950, relocated in 1972 and has evolved into more than just a cattle farm. In 2006,

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Hollywood Enterprises was created as a way to raise and sell turkeys. Now, it sells milk, crops – such as hay, corn and small grains – and turkeys, while maintaining 850 acres of land and 275 cattle. Holly Pullis reflected on how life on a farm was the “calling” for her family and said “these things [delivering animals, learning about farm equipment and farming] are important because we can teach our children about life and death, financial management and the importance of setting goals and working towards them on a daily basis.” She makes a very good point that living on a farm is so much more than planting and harvesting a field, but rather a way to learn about all aspects of life.

Lastly, there are two of three photographs of Underwood Ranch in the display at the National Grange. The first one shows two boys in beekeeper suits, and the second photograph is of the Underwood family and two of their steers. The original property of Underwood Farms was bought in 2005, and it has continued to grow. Since then, the farm has been stocked with steers, chickens, horses and bees. Angelika Underwood commented that “I feel like it is important for them [her sons] to learn what manual labor is like, and its great they can see results of their hard work,” which is very applicable in today’s society as we are turning to more technological ways of accomplishing tasks. It is important to get back to our roots.

Bernard’s photographs from To Grow a Farmer will be in an open display at the National Grange headquarters, so take a summer vacation to Washington DC and come check them out!

All information was found on Welsey Bernard’s website in the To Grow a Farmer sections. For more information about the collection and stories or to see the entire collection, visit http://wesley-bernard.squarespace.com/to-grow-a-farmerstories.

GOOD DAY!™ MAGAZINE www.nationalgrange.org

Sew perfect partnership with Quilts of Valor highlights talents, patriotism of Grangers

By Chris Hamp National Grange Lecturer In 2016 I learned about the Quilts of Valor Foundation and completed the on-line form to nominate my father, who served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam, for a Quilt of Valor. A couple of months later the quilt was finished and an appointment was made to present dad with his Quilt of Valor. The two ladies who came to make the presentation were wonderful representatives of the Quilts of Valor Foundation, had made the beautiful quilt themselves and showed so much care and love – I was hooked.

At the 2017 National Grange Convention in Spokane, Washington, we were able to present Quilts of Valor to 10 Grange veterans in an evening ceremony and share this wonderful program with everyone who attended the National Grange convention. Additionally, we were able to have a wonderful display of many awarded Quilts of Valor, each a unique and beautiful handcrafted work of art, and made available information about the Quilt of Valor Foundation for everyone who wished to take the idea home.

In early 2018, the National Grange, created a formal Under Our Wings® partnership with the Quilts of Valor Foundation and shared this information with our Granges and members across the country. The response has been amazing!

At the 2018 National Grange Convention in Stowe, Vermont, we presented Quilts of Valor to 20 Grange veterans. Each of these presentations will forever be remembered by those in attendance.

Each and every Grange who has gotten involved with the Quilts of Valor Foundation – whether it be providing their hall as a place for presentations to take

Submitted Photo Three female veterans were honored with Quilts of Valor during the Oliver Hudson Kelley Grange Gala to celebrate 150 years of Grange in the state of Minnesota. place, making Quilts of Valor, identifying deserving community members, or donating funding or supplies – has made a difference in their community. Many Granges have received wonderful press and some have gained new members due to the collaboration.

The members of Cibolo Grange #1541 (TX) have made numerous Quilts of Valor and have made many, many Quilts of Valor presentations to veterans in their community. Many of their Quilts of Valor and the presentations are made by their Junior Grange members!

At the Massachusetts State Grange convention last October a Quilt of Valor presentation was made in which quilts were wrapped around eight Grange veterans and four veterans from the community.

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In March, Connie Krawczyk, a member of Taconic Grange #491, made and presented a Quilt of Valor to a local veteran in her community of Hoosick Falls, New York at the local American Legion Post’s recognition supper.

The Colorado State Grange has grabbed this program and has taken off running. Not only has the Colorado State Grange held a Quilt of Valor presentation at their last two state sessions, but there are quilters at three separate community Granges in Colorado making Quilts of Valor – Marvel, Mount Allison and Florissant. In addition, these quilters donated Quilts of Valor for the 2018 as well as the upcoming 2019 National Grange Quilt of Valor presentation.

Newark Grange #366 (NY) recently

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presented Quilts of Valor to three generations of the Mallette Family.

All three quilts were made by Fannie Mallette (the first quilting she has ever done) for her father-in-law, husband and son. Newark Grange was assisted in the presentation by Barbara Frost and Karen Dobbs from the Finger Lakes chapter of the Quilts of Valor Foundation. The surprise event was covered by local TV station WENY. Several local Granges in Idaho have been making Quilts of Valor presentations to their own deserving members and to members in their communities for many years. Idaho Grangers also coordinate the making and donating of many of the Quilts of Valor presented at the National Grange’s Quilts of Valor presentations as well.

In February Ekonk Community Grange #89 (CT) held a special open house and presented a Quilt of Valor to one of their member veterans, Neil H. Cook.

Earlier this year at the Oliver Hudson Kelley Grange’s Grange 150 Gala – Celebrating 150 Years of Empowering

Submitted Photo Special labels are sewn onto each quilt awarded as part of the Quilt of Valor program denoting the veteran awardee, sponsoring organization, such as a Grange and for those made and awarded through the Under Our Wings partnership, a special Grange label is also included.

Women in Minnesota, eleven (11) women

relationship that is quickly growing

veterans from Minnesota were awarded

between our organizations. I think that

Quilts of Valor.

one of the greatest things about this

In April Bethlehem Grange #137 (NY)

partnership is that the act of making a

honored Edward Deyoe and John Deyoe,

Quilt of Valor is as much a thrill for the

father and son, for their service in the

maker as it is for the recipient to receive.

Army during WW II and the Vietnam era.

The Deyoes each were presented with a Quilt of Valor made by Kerry Barnes who is the New York state coordinator for the Quilts of Valor Foundation.

These examples of the collaborative partnership

between

Grange

and

the Quilts of Valor Foundation are a small representation of the beautiful

Making and presenting Quilts of Valor to veterans in our Granges and in our communities satisfies two Grange foundational cornerstones – love of country

and

handicraft

excellence.

The idea of recognizing and thanking veterans and/or active duty members for their service by wrapping them in a handcrafted, one-of-a-kind quilt never grows old or goes out of style. Each presentation is unique and unforgettable for everyone involved.

This partnership is unique in that in transcends all usual boundaries – it doesn’t matter if your Grange is in the north or south, east or west, coast or heartland; it doesn’t matter if your membership is young or old; and it doesn’t matter if your community is rural or urban, or rich or poor – everyone can find a way to get involved with this partnership.

I look forward to hearing your stories and seeing photos of your Grange’s partnership with the Quilts of Valor Foundation.

Information on the Quilts of Valor Foundation can be found at their website, www.qovf.org. You can request

Submitted Photo Edward Deyoe, a Army veteran from WWII, received a Quilt of Valor at an event held at Bethlehem Grange #137, New York, during Grange Month, along with son, John, an Army veteran from the Vietnam-era.

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GOOD DAY!™ MAGAZINE www.nationalgrange.org

information about the Grange’s Under Our Wings program and how to order the special Grange labels via email at lecturer@nationalgrange.org.

First novel of NJ Youth member out, selling fast “follows a young woman challenged by memories of her past. A story of; National Grange Communications & love, healing, female resiliency, and Development Director forgiveness.” It is set in Victorian England.

The effort was not without challenge Published author. but Stefanick knows the value of That’s a new line former National perseverance.

Grange intern and New Jersey Grange “I tried going the traditional publishing member Kimberly Marie Stefanick can route where you query literary agents in add to her resume. hopes of one of them picking up your “The Sun at Dawn,” a 360-page novel book, but after being rejected over 25 was released by Leaf Publishing House times over 5 months, I started looking for out of London on April 19. It is available in alternative publishing methods,” she said. bookstores and online.

“In November of 2018 I contacted Leaf Stefanick began the 14-chapter novel Publishing with my manuscript and they while in D.C. in January 2017. chose to pick it up and publish it.”

“I literally had a dream of the plot She’s not just been successful in the and woke up at 3 in the morning … and traditional publishing world. She is now a started typing out what the plot would trending Instagram star as well with more look like,” Stefanick said. “Then over the than 14,000 in just 8 months. next year I expanded that first paragraph “Here I post snippets of my books and into a 90,000 word novel and in May of other works I’ve written as well as random 2018 the final draft was ready.” thoughts that come to mind,” Stefanick According to her website, said. bykimberlymarie.com, which she She’s been surprised with the designed and administers, the book resonance her posts have had.

By Amanda Brozana Rios

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GOOD DAY!™ MAGAZINE www.nationalgrange.org

“The Sun at Dawn” by Kimberly Marie

Stefanick, a

New Jersey Grange

member, is available

worldwide.

“I never expected it to get his large or for me to receive such good feedback either. I simply started the page as a way to build an audience for my books, but it has turned into a community where I can share deep thoughts and feelings and have others connect to them,” she said.

“My favorite comments people make are when they tell me that I was able to put an emotion into words for them, or describe a feeling when they couldn’t find the words to. I think that’s what writing is all about.”

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Community rallies around family in need thanks to Grange

By Karryn Overstreet Member, Alamo Grange (TX) In March of this year, Alamo Grange of Texas hosted a fundraiser called Wheels for Adrianna for a family who has been a part of their community for generations.

The mother, Pam Yelton, has three daughters whom she has raised by herself, and Pam’s middle daughter, Adrianna, has been mentally and physically disabled since birth. Pam was in desperate need of a new handicap accessible van since the one she currently had was over twenty years old and became unreliable for transportation. Alamo Grange came together with others in the area to create a benefit where all the proceeds would go to the family in order to help ease some of their financial worries.

Tickets for the meal offered on site were sold in advance and also at the door for those wishing to help this amazing cause.

Alamo Grangers cooked, prepared, and served a meal the day of the benefit, and people brought a variety of desserts to accompany the plates, only asking for a free-will donation.

Those who attended were able to sit down and eat with others in their community while a member of Alamo Grange played music during the entire event. Those who couldn’t stay were given the option of taking their meals to-go.

In addition to the dessert donation, many people gave monetary contributions at the door to help the cause.

Grangers also held a silent auction on-site that consisted of

Submitted Photo Adrianna Yelton and her family were on the receiving end of Grange heroism in March as Alamo Grange hosted a benefit event that raised more than $7,000 toward transportation for the physically disabled woman.

many items including paintings, pictures, goodie baskets, more than $7,000 taken in that day and more to come in the

household items, and gift cards.

At the end of the event, all of the funds from the tickets, donations, and silent auction were collected and counted with

weeks after.

A lot of time and dedication went into the coordinating before and after the event, but it was all worth the family’s delight after the benefit and their appreciation for all of those who helped to support them.

The gratitude and joy shown by the Yelton family is why Alamo Grange chose to help them. Regardless of whether the event is private or public, or if the funds raised are small or big, Grangers choose to focus on helping anyone whether the impact is minor or major.

The purpose of being Grangers isn’t whether they get recognition or compensation for what they do; they work towards making the lives of others better by using their Godgiven ability to help those who are struggling. Making our communities stronger is why we strive to be Grange heroes.

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Submitted Photo The parking lot of Lake Creek Grange often has an above average number of Subarus filling spaces, many owned by members who were recently featured on a local Subaru dealer’s commercial.

Oregon Grange featured on local Subaru dealer commercial

By Rick Crook Member, Lake Creek Grange #697, OR

The Lake Creek Grange has an effort underway to increase membership.

During one of our monthly Community Breakfasts last summer, we noticed there was an abundance of Subaru vehicles in our parking lot. A senior Grange member wondered if the local Subaru dealership might be interested in capitalizing on all the Subarus in our parking lot by filming a commercial at our Grange; and, the exposure could benefit both our event attendance and bring in new members.

Southern Oregon Subaru is known for its 30 second TV ads featuring local businesses and non-profit groups.

Since I had recently purchased a Subaru Outback from this dealership, I volunteered to pitch this idea to the dealership management to see if they would be interested. We really had nothing to lose.

Our goal was to highlight the Lake Creek Grange in the commercial, but, Southern Oregon Subaru wanted an ad that would sell new cars to new residents. It was also important for Subaru to have an angle they felt was aligned with their core messaging.

Anyone who is familiar with Subaru marketing knows that Subaru likes to pitch its all-wheel drive cars for winter driving, use of its cars for outdoor adventures, and (of course) the dogs.

So, since parts of Lake Creek are typically in the snow during the winter, we figured we would offer the following ideas to Subaru: we recently moved to Lake Creek, bought a new Subaru to

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handle winter road conditions, use the car to help haul supplies for the Grange to assist in our monthly Community Breakfast, and transport our large livestock guardian dogs on the ranch.

Southern Oregon Subaru liked the idea and took the bait “hook, line, and sinker” and composed the ad around “the pitch.”

Everyone had a great time during the filming due to the good nature of the video team.

We were able to schedule the filming crew on the day we both prepare for our monthly breakfast and also serve a lunch for the volunteers and neighbors. This ensured we would have the maximum number of Subaru owners at the Grange Hall willing to come and spend time for filming, fellowship, and food.

The videographer was gracious enough to include the Grange in as much of the commercial as possible at our request.

The whole process took about three hours. We were informed that the commercial would likely be shown in the Southern Oregon region May/June this year.

We realize that many people in the South Oregon broadcast area are unfamiliar with the Lake Creek Grange and that they may perform an internet search on us once they see the commercial. Since our current primary source of advertisement is our Facebook page, we have expanded a description of our Grange activities in the About section of our Facebook page in preparation for increased internet search traffic. We also received permission to use the professional quality photos in our Facebook page heading to aid in site recognition.

For those who would like to see the ad, please visit our Facebook page, Lake Creek Grange #697, and look for the post of the Subaru Ad link.

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Grange Youth learn, lead during National Ag Day

By Abigail Sharp National Grange Legislative Intern Just as the weather was starting to hint at the coming spring, the National Grange celebrated National Ag Day at the National Headquarters in Washington, D.C. National Ag Day is a holiday where America recognizes what agriculture has provided to all aspects of life. It has been celebrated as a national holiday since 1973 and is hosted by the Agriculture Council of America (ACA).

“National Agriculture Day is really about celebrating today’s opportunities for the next generation to survive and thrive in agriculture,” National Grange Legislative Director Burton Eller said.

While the date often changes, the 2019 Ag Day was celebrated on March 14. This year’s theme was “Agriculture: Food for Life”, which was reflected in the topics of discussion throughout National Ag Week, March 10-16.

To celebrate National Ag Day, representatives of the agriculture community traveled to the nation’s capital from across the country.

The National Grange Youth Team was no exception.

National Grange Young Patrons, Katie Fallon of New York, and Brittney Oliver, of Washington, and National Grange Youth Ambassadors, Rylee Furr and Zac Mazag, both of North Carolina, arrived in Washington DC on March 13, excited to be a part of the event. National Grange Intern and New Jersey Grange Member Abigail Sharp also took part in the events.

They had scheduled meetings with their Congressmen and Senators on Ag Day and planned to attend briefings at the Grange building over the course of the two days.

Little did they know, however, that they were going to get pictures in front of the White House, hear the sirens of President Trump’s motorcade, eat some delicious food and see how exciting the world of agriculture is in Washington, D.C. That first evening, the Youth Team and several members of the National Grange staff kicked off National Agriculture Day with the Taste of Ag event at the Capitol Visitor Center.

They were able to do a mini-tour of the Capitol and sample a variety of delicious foods from beef on a stick to pulled pork to fresh potato chips to fruit-covered pastries all while networking with Senators, FFA members, representatives from agriculturerelated corporations and nonprofit organizations.

“Seeing people that were there to celebrate agriculture was powerful,” Oliver said.

Following Taste of Ag, the group traveled back to National Grange headquarters for a briefing with Eller in which he discussed the logistics of meeting with Congressional Representatives or

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Submitted Photos Outstanding Young Patron Brittney Oliver, of Washington, discussed several Grange priority issues including attracting young people to careers in agriculture with Rep. Dan Newhouse.

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Outstanding Young Patron Katie Fallon, of New York, spends a few moments after a meeting with Representative Antonio Delgado during National Ag Day events.

their staff members.

He stressed early arrival, making discussion relevant to the district and your hometown, and how to talk about Grange priority issues.

The main Grange policies that he provided more detailed information about were rural broadband and privacy, telemedicine and health care, ag labor, and imported drugs.

On Ag Day, Youth Team members set off to the Hill, readied with folders filled with information about the Grange and the priority issues and accompanied by National Grange Leadership/Membership Director Joe Stefenoni, Communications Director Amanda Brozana Rios and Youth/ Young Adult Director Mandy Bostwick.

In all, the team saw North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis, Congressmen Jeff Van Drew of New Jersey, and Congressman Dan Newhouse of Washington; as well as staff members from the offices of New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, North Carolina Congressman Richard Hudson and North Carolina Senator Richard Burr.

The Youth Team, Membership Director, Communications Director, Youth/ Young Adult Director and Legislative Intern were able to discuss issues facing their local communities as well as what the Grange is advocating for on a national level. National Grange Young Patron, Katie Fallon, met with Eric Deeble, the ag staffer for Senator Gillibrand, who had a background in agriculture as a large animal veterinarian and knew much about the Grange.

“It was interesting to see that she has the same morals about things that we are trying to advocate for,” Fallon said. “I like to see how eager and interested they are in helping Grange in any way that they can – they want to come to convention, and you don’t get that very often.”

Furr said her experience was similar with all of the Senators and Congressmen that she had meetings with.

“It was just cool to see that they are real people,” Furr said. “When you see them on TV, you are like they are from my

Submitted Photo Rylee Furr and Zac Mazag, National Youth Ambassadors, both of North Carolina, met with several Representatives, Senators and their staff during the Ag Day event. state, but never think that they are just like me; but they really did start out just like us. They just got more involved and more involved.”

During the two-day experience in D.C., members of the team also met with representatives from the Community AntiDrug Coalition (CADCA), to discuss how Grange Youth can be part of an advisory panel for CADCA’s trainers to help put together outreach and toolkits for tackling the issue of drugs in rural communities.

Following the meeting, the team and some of the National Staff walked to the National Press Club where a panel discussion, led by Deputy Secretary of the USDA Stephen Censky, was being held.

A majority of the discussion focused on the future of agriculture as well as misconceptions of agriculture from the perspective of high school and college students from various backgrounds.

The panelists – which included the Ag Day Essay Contest Winner Grace Brose, National FFA Central Region Vice President Ridge Hughbanks, MANRRS Region IV Undergraduate Vice President Irene Lewis, and Agriculture Future of America Student Advisory Team

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Member Zach Jacobs – were asked what organizations they are interested in joining after college, and, if they aren’t sure, what traits are they looking for in an organization. Many of the traits, such as community and advocacy, are important, they said, showing that the Grange has great relevance for this new generation of ag advocates who may not yet be members.

After the event, discussion amongst team members and staff focused on the idea of how we can further promote agriculture and the Grange and how our grassroots structure is a positive part of our identity.

Mazag said for the Youth Team, this was an opportunity to experience part of what National Grange does to advocate for rural America and its members.

He also went on to say that it has impacted his future plans.

“The biggest thing I gained from yesterday was simply being in the political, DC environment,” Mazag said.

“It solidified the fact that I want to work on Capitol Hill one day. It was so exciting simply walking around and feeling a part of such a historical and impactful district.”

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Fly-In attendees take message about key rural issues to Congress

By Abigail Sharp National Grange Legislative Intern After months of planning, 22 Grangers from 11 states gathered in Washington, D.C. to participate in the annual National Grange Legislative Fly-In. Fly-In is an opportunity for Grangers to learn and promote Grange policy priorities, get advocacy training, meet with your Congressmen and Senators, and, of course, do some sightseeing in our nation’s capital.

This year, it was held from Sunday, April 28 to Wednesday, May 1 at the National Grange headquarters. The three-day event was kicked off with a social on Sunday evening, where Grangers were able to mingle and eat some delicious food provided by Pennsylvania State Grange’s Communications and Membership Director Lizzie Bailey.

Monday morning is when we hit the ground running.

Bright-eyed and ready to learn from many National Grange partners, the Fly-In participants arrived at the National Grange headquarters first thing in the morning. The day started off with a welcome from National Grange Master, Betsy Huber, and was followed by Legislative Director, Burton Eller, who spoke about the major Grange policies that are being talked about on the Hill. They were followed by briefings from partners and government offices that the National Grange has been working alongside. Representatives from Connect Americans Now, AT&T, TracFone, PhRMA, Farm Credit Council and the Executive Office of the President. Later in the afternoon, Fly-In participants traveled to the Federal Communications Commission office for a briefing. Throughout the day, the following topics were discussed: disaster relief, rebuilding rural infrastructure, passing the Student Agriculture Protection Act, legislations to protect online privacy, upgrade rural broadband coverage maps, emerging broadband technologies to reach rural areas, maintaining the Lifeline program for rural residents, the dangers of importing non-FDA-approved prescription drugs, and prescription drug discount rebates to the patient to lower out-of-pocket costs at the drug counter.

Starting on Monday afternoon and continuing through the next two days, Grangers attended a total of 31 appointments with their Congressmen, Senators, and their staff members.

The appointments were scheduled with the offices of the following: Sens. James Inhofe and James Lankford (OK); Sens.

Bob Casey and Pat Toomey, and Reps. Lloyd Smucker, Mike Kelly, Scott Perry, Mike Doyle (PA); Reps. Anthony Brindisi and

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Submitted Photo Yvonne Merritt, middle, and her grandson, Ryan, a Junior Grange member, both of Oklahoma, meet with Sen. James Lankford during the 2019 National Grange Fly-In in Washington, D.C. at the end of April.

Antonio Delgado (NY); Sen. Susan Collins and Rep. Chellie Pingree (ME); Rep. Jeff van Drew (NJ); Sens. Sherrod Brown and Rob Portman, and Reps. Bob Gibbs and Bill Johnson (OH); Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, and Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley (OR); Reps. John Garamendi, Mike Thompson and Doug LaMalfa (CA); Sens. Mike Braun and Todd Young, and Reps. Jim Baird, Jim Banks, Pete Visclosky and Jackie Walorski (IN); and Reps. John Moolenaar and Ann Dingell (MI).

While not in Congressional appointments, Grangers were able to do some sightseeing and touring around Washington DC. This includes museums, monuments, the Capitol building and some delicious restaurants. Grangers also spent time at the headquarters, where they were able to catch up with other Grangers that they knew and meet those they didn’t already know. One of our favorite views is of the White House from the roof of the National Grange headquarters building, but we might be a little biased.

While we are sad to see the 22 Grangers leave the National Grange headquarters, the National Grange staff are excited to see how they implement what they learned at this year’s Fly-In.

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With briefs, every member can advocate for rural

By J. Burton Eller National Grange Legislative Director National Grange members don’t come to the National Grange Legislative Fly-In just to see the sights in Washington. They come to work-to work on priority public policy issues on behalf of fellow Grangers back home.

During meetings on Capitol Hill with their Senators, Representatives and Hill staff, Grangers asked for actions on several items affecting agriculture, broadband and telecommunications, and health care.

Here are the talking points Grangers used in those meetings.

AGRICULTURE Approve Disaster Aid Congress should pass overdue disaster relief. Congress left town for a two week recess without passing critical disaster aid to farmers, ranchers and rural communities devastated by catastrophic weather events. Severe damage from historic hurricanes Florence and Michael, unprecedented wildfires, flooding and other natural disasters devastated several agricultural regions throughout the country in 2018 and 2019.

Funding is a priority and should include disaster relief for onfarm stored commodities.

Allow Agriculture a Workforce Congress should pass an agriculture-specific immigration

policy. Farmers, ranchers and growers need access to a stable and secure workforce now and in the future to ensure the sustainability of agricultural production and food security.

A flexible and efficient ag worker visa program should be available to all producers to meet their temporary, seasonal and year-round job needs.

Rebuild Rural Infrastructure Congress should act to rebuild our nation’s crumbling rural infrastructure. The condition of our roads, bridges, locks and dams, inland waterways, rural broadband, rural medical care, safe drinking water facilities, rural education and more threatens the competitive leadership of American agriculture.

HEALTH CARE Beware of Imported Prescription Drugs Congress should not adopt the importation of non-FDAapproved prescription drugs. Imported drugs are not the answer to high prescription drug prices. These drugs may be counterfeit, substandard, or worse, they may be dangerous.

Supporters of imported drugs say there is no risk if these medicines come from a “safe” country such as Canada. But Canadian authorities say they are not responsible for the safety and effectiveness of prescription drugs manufactured in a third country then transshipped from Canada to the United States because that drug has not officially entered the Canadian drug supply. Counterfeit drugs may contain deadly additives like lethal doses of fentanyl. Or, the medicine may have a substandard or no active ingredient for patients with HIV, diabetes, cancer or heart conditions.

Prescription Drug Rebates Can Help Patients Congress should support the Department of Health and Human Services proposed rule to ensure Prescription drug discounts reduce patients’ out-of-pocket costs. The current

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prescription drug payment system within Medicare Part D is fundamentally flawed. Prescription drug rebates are negotiated by biopharmaceutical manufacturers, insurance plans and pharmacy benefit managers aimed at lowering the net cost of medicines. Unfortunately, the rebate system in its current form typically does not result in patient savings at the pharmacy counter. Instead, pharmacy benefit managers generally keep these discounts and use them to lower the plans’ overall costs. The proposed rule would eliminate this practice and require any discounts negotiated by PBMs and insurers to flow to the patient to lower out-of-pocket costs at the drug counter.

Drug Price Dilemma Congress should continue investigating escalating prescription drug prices. Drug pricing is a top-of-mind issue for patients, especially seniors. The Senate Finance Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee have conducted several drug price hearings and are considering several bills to address patient drug costs.

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TELECOMMUNICATIONS Protect Online Privacy Congress should pass a uniform national internet privacy standard to protect all consumers. The Senate Judiciary Committee, the Senate Commerce Committee and the House Energy and Commerce Committee have all held hearings on consumer privacy concerns. Recent investigations reveal how mobile apps share personal, location and business information with Facebook, Amazon, Google and others and that Facebook in particular stores an incredible amount of personal data on just about everyone. State legislatures are beginning to take privacy action on their own but a patchwork of individual state laws is not the answer. Prompt passage of a national uniform privacy standard for all companies on the internet could provide the stability needed for investment in new forms of wireless internet service to rural America.

Rural Broadband Maps Aren’t Accurate Congress should urge the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to upgrade its data collection methods for rural areas. The FCC collects rural broadband data by census block. If just one home or business in an entire census block has internet service, everyone in that census block is counted as having service available. This assumption misrepresents rural connectivity. Rural census blocks only account for people, not crop or ranchlands, and often cover large areas where a few miles can mean the difference between having access and being disconnected. Recent efforts like the US Telecom Broadband Mapping Initiative offer an opportunity for industry to support FCC efforts. This precludes census data from being the sole source of coverage information.

Can New Technology Bridge the Digital Divide?

Congress should urge the FCC to build on recent progress toward eliminating regulatory barriers to TV white space technology. The Commission recently finalized two rules that mark major progress in clearing the way for wireless TV whitespace technology to help bridge the digital divide in rural communities. The Commission can build on that progress by adopting appropriate technical rules to maximize the availability of TVWS in rural areas and ensure sufficient spectrum is available.

Congress should also urge Agriculture Secretary Perdue to test the use of TV white spaces spectrum. The USDA is preparing to roll out its e-Connectivity Pilot Program into rural America to determine how best to use funds to bring broadband to underserved communities. One possibility is to test unused TV white spaces spectrum below 608 MHz to send broadband to sparse populations, across remote areas, over mountains and through buildings.

Lifeline Still Matters Congress should continue to support the Lifeline program for the many rural citizens it serves. The Universal Service Fund’s Lifeline affordability program is still vital to a substantial number of low income, disabled, elderly, lonely and veteran members of rural communities. Lifeline connectivity allows users to do homework, search for jobs, connect to telemedicine services, receive counseling and stay in touch with family and friends. For those who qualify, Lifeline provides substantial discounts on monthly telephone and broadband service purchased from participating providers.

SUPPORT STUDENT AGRICULTURE House members should support H.R.1770, the Student Agriculture Protection Act introduced by McCaul (R-TX), Cuellar (D-TX) and Peterson (DMN). The bill creates a tax exemption for the first $5,000 on the sale of livestock and agricultural projects by FFA and 4-H members. Grange members asked for the inclusion of participants in the Grange Youth Fair Program in the bill and for additional members of Congress to co-sponsor the legislation.

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Protect Essential Veterans’ Phone Services The Lifeline program was created by the Reagan Administration to provide low-income Americans with access to affordable phone services.

Lifeline Today:

1.3 MILLION VETERANS RELY ON LIFELINE 12% OF LIFELINE SUBSCRIBERS ARE VETERANS Lifeline connects veterans with opportunity and lifesaving resources, including: Jobs Healthcare & Emergency Services Education Suicide Prevention Resources Proposed changes in DC will damage the ability of low-income Americans – including 1.3 million veterans – to access essential phone services. If the proposed changes are enacted: • 8.3 million Americans will lose access to their current phone services • Up to 85% of Lifeline subscribers will be unable to afford phone services • Basic phone service costs will increase while service quality plummets • Veterans in need & other qualified Americans will be barred from the program

ACT NOW TO PROTECT VETERANS’ LIFELINE TO OPPORTUNITY Text VETERANS to 52886 or go to VETS.LIFELINEFACTS.COM

THE CONSUMER’S RIGHT TO CHOOSE

PAPER OR DIGITAL? IT’S YOUR CHOICE. 90% of people believe they should have the right to choose how they receive communications.

83%

of consumers believe they should not be charged more for choosing to receive a paper bill or statement.

27%

of American adults do not have internet access at home (33.5 million households).

34%

of those over 65 do not use the internet.

WHO WE ARE Keep Me Posted North America is a coalition of consumer groups, charities and businesses that advocate for the right of every consumer in North America to choose, free of charge, how they receive important information – on paper or electronically – from their service providers.

JOIN US We invite consumer groups, charities and businesses that value paper-based communications and consumer choice to join our coalition.

For more information, go to:

keepmepostedna.org Sign up for our newsletter: keepmepostedna.org/sign-up

info@keepmepostedna.org 855-896-7433

Feeling the push to go paperless? Take action Perhaps you’ve noticed that your utility bill now comes via email, even though you never asked. Or maybe your credit card company charges you for paper statements. And certainly, we’re all missing paper versions of federal tax forms and instructions, as well as Social Security benefit statements – all which, until recently, were delivered in the mail.

Too many of us are being frustrated or even left behind as the government and a growing number of companies switch customers from paper to electronic communications — without our consent.

Analysis by the Pew Research Center shows that one-third of all American households don’t have internet access at home. In addition, over 23 million rural and small-town citizens lack broadband access.

But the problem with going paperless is not just about accessibility; it’s about preference. We have a right as consumers to keep tabs on financial transactions, and a right as citizens to communicate with our government and hold it accountable. For many people, that means receiving information in paper form.

That’s why the National Grange is taking action by partnering with two organizations – Keep Me Posted North America and the Coalition for Paper Options. Together, they are fighting to reinstate and retain access to the right to choose whether we receive information electronically or on paper, without being penalized.

Here’s how you can get involved: Join Keep Me Posted North America in keeping businesses from removing access to paper statements at no cost.

Keep Me Posted North America is a coalition of consumer groups, charities, and businesses that represent North Americans who are disadvantaged by lack of choice or simply want to retain paper-based communications. Keep Me

Photo by Amanda Brozana Rios Many are finding fewer paper statements in their mailboxes as companies turn to digital solutions, but this trend is leaving some consumers in the dark about their finances, something the Grange is partnering with others to fight against.

Posted focuses on changing business practices, particularly among corporate service providers pushing customers to go paperless and charging extra for paper. The organization is currently working with AT&T, Capital One, and U.S. Bank, just to name a few.

Keep Me Posted awards service providers with an industry “best practice mark” that demonstrates a commitment to the Keep Me Posted principles and monitors service providers’ digital communications policies, both to educate consumers and to urge companies to do the right

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thing by giving consumers free and viable choices. The organization will challenge cases where consumer choice is removed and encourage companies to align with its principles.

Keep Me Posted is building a coalition of supporters—including the National Grange—and invites postal operators, pension groups, debt and personal finance charities, physical and mental health charities, consumer groups, trade unions and voluntary adoption of the Keep Me Posted pledge from responsible, consumer-focused service providers.

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To learn more and see how you can help, visit www. keepmepostedna.org.

Help the Coalition for Paper Options fight government efforts to go paperless.

The Coalition for Paper Options, an alliance of consumer organizations, labor unions, rural advocates, and print communications industry organizations and employees, The Coalition for Paper Options is a voice for those who need or want paper-based resources. The organization advocates for federal and state government policies that protect and reinstate Americans’ right to freely access information in whatever medium they prefer.

As many as 30 percent of Americans rely on paper-based retirement tools, and cybersecurity breaches and rampant phishing scams are making online financial correspondence more dangerous for everyone. Still, several federal actions and proposals completely remove or make it more difficult to access paper-based financial resources – compromising citizens’ privacy and access to information.

Current Coalition for Paper Options priorities include: • Restoring Social Security earnings statements.

Without public comment or input from Congress, the Social Security Administration suspended the mailing of Social Security earnings statements in January 2017 to workers under the age of 60. Social Security earnings statements are essential to most American workers. Verifying your recorded earnings and calculating your retirement date are two critical financial decisions all wage-earners need to make.

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As reported recently by The New York Times and Reuters, an Inspector General report released in 2019 revealed that there are only 38.8 million registered users of the online portal, “My Social Security” (the new method to access earnings statements).

• Fighting the RETIRE ACT (or the “Receiving Electronic Statements to Improve Retiree Earnings Act”) This federal proposal would make e-delivery of retirement plan information the default for ALL workers and their families, no matter their level of Internet access, comfort with technology or personal preferences. It sets a bad precedent giving retirement plan sponsors undue power over American workers, while also exposing workers least equipped to handle it to electronic phishing scams aimed at stealing personal information.

• Stopping Regulation Forcing e-Delivery of Important Financial Information Rule 30e-3, adopted in 2018 by the SEC, switched the default distribution method for annual and semi-annual mutual fund performance reports from mail to electronic delivery.

Even as SEC Rule30e-3 is being contested in federal court, the financial industry is lobbying the Department of Labor to issue a similar ruling for retirement plan information.

The Coalition for Paper Options is always looking for citizens to make their voices heard with lawmakers. Contact info@paperoptions.org, write to 8 E St. SE Washington, DC 20003, or visit www.paperoptions.org to learn how you can get involved.

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Late-onset PTSD, age bias can complicate life

By Maureen Elias Assistant Director Veterans Health Council Almost a quarter of people who develop PTSD experience a form called late or delayed onset PTSD. This means the PTSD symptoms developed six months or later following the traumatic event. It may be years or decades for symptoms to surface to the point that they become clinically diagnosable. Lateonset PTSD is most often found among elderly patients.

Late-onset PTSD can affect veterans as they retire or outgrow the family responsibilities that kept some or most of the symptoms of PTSD at bay. Late-onset PTSD can be brought on when someone struggles with additional life stressors or traumatic events such as finances, birth or loss of a loved one, medical issues, watching realistic depictions of war, retirement or loss of a job, the death of a battle buddy, or visiting the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in D.C. All of these events can lead to a time of reflection and a rehashing of memories—some happy, others stressful and upsetting. If you are struggling with symptoms of late-onset PTSD, we encourage you to seek help with a licensed therapist using an empirically validated treatment method.

To combat late-onset PTSD, some veterans choose to find employment. In doing so, they often find that age bias is a barrier to finding meaningful employment for people in their 70’s and 80’s.

Most advice about avoiding age bias when looking for work involves such advice as dye your hair, get physically fit, or update your wardrobe. But there comes a time when, despite the effort, our age shows through.

In a society in which youth is one of the most desirable work traits, how then can age bias be overcome?

New Strategies A career coach shared the following advice. When it comes to your resume, leave dates of degrees off if they are more than ten years old. Take several courses online or in a school to show your education is current and up to date.

When the time comes for the interview, you may feel that bias come through as soon as the hiring manager meets you.

Focus on what you bring to the table such as your vast network, your desire to mentor younger employees, and that you are there because you want to be. Speak about how your values align with the company’s values.

Ensure your email is an up-to-date model such as Gmail or Outlook. If you use Hotmail, Verizon, or AOL, the automatic assumption is you are an older user. Check your email daily.

If you are not on LinkedIn, now is the time to begin developing and working on your profile. Make sure you have a current head shot. This does not need to be a formal one, but at least a professional one.

Take the time to fill in all the fields you can with a good amount of quality content.

Even your volunteer work has relevance.

Ensure you are active on LinkedIn by posting, commenting, and liking others in the community.

Get comfortable with social media. Most community colleges offer inexpensive courses in learning how to use social media. Some offer free tuition or scholarships for students over 65.

The numbers vary from 40 to 75 percent, but a majority of jobs today come from networking. A personal recommendation can go a long way in overcoming any type of bias, including age, when it comes to employment.

Conducting informational interviews with employees at the company or the field you want to work in can increase your chances of getting hired.

A great way to build your network when breaking into a new field is through

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informal, informational interviews. This is not a job interview. The purpose is not about finding a job opportunity. It is the opportunity to expand your network in the field, and kind of interview the company to see if it would be a good fit for you.

One of the most important and often overlooked tasks after conducting an informational interview is follow-up. A handwritten thank-you note is always a nice touch. A catch-up email once a month or every two months keeps this new relationship fresh and reminds them that you are on the search for work.

There

are

some

organizations

dedicated to helping veterans find gainful, meaningful employment. Jeff Haines, a transition specialist at Hire Heroes USA, says his organization “will help any veteran and any military spouse, no matter what their age or when they served, free of charge. We encourage VVA members to register on our website.”

Another organization ready to help is a Facebook group called MilSpouse Coding. Kerri-Leigh Grady, chair of MilSpouse Coders, said that veterans and their spouses can join the page to learn about opportunities and what kinds of coding skills are most popular with employers right now.

Another

group

is

jobzoneonline.

com. Janet Giles, the president, said that JobZone job fairs bring employers to transitioning military and family members, including retirees. They are finding more and more employers who are looking for part-time employees. Check their website regularly for job fairs in your area.

The Veterans Health Council is a program of Vietnam Veterans of America whose mission is improving veteran health care through information and education.

For more information about the VHC, please go to veteranshealthcouncil.org.

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‘...agriculture

PERSPECTIVE

48 Grange Youth Fair Program honors vision of Founders

50 Introducing children to

showing, husbandry was

the hook, but the results

were more than imagined for one family

54 Grange Foundation

honors ag educator

in effort to promote

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has existed’

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Juniors focus

Oliver Hudson Kelley Farm still worth our support for bringing evolution of

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philanthropic effort

on founders’ farm as

a way to honor past,

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Youth Fair Program: Red vests, bright futures

By Joe Stefenoni National Grange Leadership and Membership Development Director Throughout California and Nevada you will find youth exhibiting livestock at local, district and state fairs wearing a uniform unique and different from that of the other youth organizations one normally recognizes.

These red vests and blue jeans with the Grange emblem proudly emblazoned on the back are the uniform for the Grange Youth Fair program.

For nearly 40 years, the Grange Youth Fair program has been providing opportunities for young people to raise and exhibit livestock while learning all the skills associated with that task.

The Grange Youth Fair program was started in the late 1970’s when a group of southern California Grange members started asking why the Grange youth couldn’t show with the 4-H and FFA youth members.

In true Granger fashion, they started asking questions, made a plan

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and then approached their County Fair.

During meetings with the County Fair, the Grange explained the organization and were able to show their long relationship with the 4-H and FFA organizations and the decision was made. Grange Youth could begin showing in their red vests and blue jeans.

As the program expanded in the local County, the same group of Grange members started talking with the California State Fair, which led to conversations with the California Department of Fairs & Expositions (CDFA), a division of the California Department of Food and Agriculture.

In the meantime, Grangers took the program through the legislative process to be fully recognized within the organization at the State level.

Delegates to the California State Grange adopted a resolution in 1982 to officially establish the program and that resolution was later adopted by delegates to the National Grange.

After a few years, the Grange was accredited as an organization with the CDFA with the same recognition as 4-H

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and FFA. The California State Grange was also given a seat on the California Department of Fairs and Expositions Rules Advisory Committee.

California State Grange Secretary Lillian Booth has watched the program throughout the years with great interest.

“Our Fair Program combines learning and fun in a way that can sometimes be lost with rigorous activities, but it also connects the participants with the whole of agriculture, if they pursue other Grange activities, not just one part,” Booth said. “This program includes rural and urban young people. While they learn to show, they also learn about the animals, the responsibilities of caring for them as well as other skills related to rural living and farm life.”

The Grange Youth Fair Program has remained a viable program in

Submitted Photo Children who plan to show turkeys as part of the Youth Fair Program practice with beach balls in California.

California with smaller groups in the southern California area while not being highly publicized outside for many years.

However, in 2015, the program started to gain new traction and build new membership with the addition of Dixon Grange in California and High Desert Grange in Nevada.

In Dixon, 75 families helped to reorganize the Dixon Grange with a desire to have their children be part of the Youth Fair program and other Grange activities.

In Fallon, Nevada, 60 people were on the charter roll of High Desert Grange in 2015.

The success story continued.

In 2017, Wyandotte Grange in Butte County, California doubled their membership by adding 75 members all related to the Youth Fair program. Watching the momentum and excitement built from the Fair Program and re-focus on agriculture, two other Granges in Butte County came on board. Most recently, Silver Sage Grange was organized in Winnemucca, Nevada with one of their focuses being the Grange Youth Fair program.

Much of the success of the Grange Fair program in the early 2000’s can be attributed to the late California State Grange Master Ed Komski who led the program in California at the time for a number of years. Komski was elected State Master in 2013 after the State Grange was reorganized and remained in that position until his sudden passing in November 2018.

All through that time, he was an ardent supporter of the program, recruiting people to assist with the administration and lauding the efforts of leaders and participants to reconnect with a central tenet of Grange - agriculture and husbandry.

More recently, Tacy Currey, one of the organizers of Dixon Grange, has taken the helm of the program and expanded its presence and recognition in California.

“Ed was truly inspirational and passionate,” Currey said.

“He loved this program and supported it fully.”

In 2018, Tacy worked with the CDFA and secured the ability for Grange Youth to have their own Round-Robin/Master Showmanship competition at the California State Fair. Prior to this, the Grange Youth were showing in the same classes as 4-H exhibitors. The recognition of the Grange having its own class is another testament to the high quality of the Grange Youth Fair Program.

Over the Sierra-Nevada mountains in Nevada, the Grange Fair program has been a central force in helping to build the organization and gain name recognition.

High Desert Grange #22 has built an active and successful Grange around providing activities and programs for youth in the Fallon community.

The youth of High Desert Grange are exhibiting their animals at livestock shows throughout Nevada and recently, High Desert Grange has begun to host their own jackpot show called the High Rollers Jackpot.

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Submitted Photo Youth Fair Program participants show a variety of different livestock and have turned the heads of many in the show arenas with their class and excitement as well as introduced whole new audiences to animal husbandry in different communities.

However, showing livestock isn’t the only activity attracting youth to their Grange. Their variety of quality programs for all ages have made them a central feature in the community after holding their charter for less than four years. You can read more about that in Lecturer Gloria Montero’s letter on a later page in this edition of Good Day!.

As the fair season gets into full swing, many more people are seeing the red vests and asking “what is the Grange and how can my family be part of the fair program,” Booth said.

“It really is a way that we are able to go back to our roots and honor what the Founders intended for Grange to do. They may never have imagined a world like ours, but they did seek to make sure the world included people of good moral character, who treated animals with dignity and understood and were passionate about agriculture and the need to continue to learn best practices and pass down that knowledge,” Booth said. “I think they would be proud to see what we have today.”

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‘Life lessons’ learned through Fair Program

By Amanda Brozana Rios National Grange Communications and Development Director As strange as it sounds, it’s hard for a family of six to find things to do together, or so Lacey Elam from Winnemucca, Nevada, had found.

Then enter: Grange.

The Elams - Lacey and her husband, Ronald, and their children, Colton, 11, Blake, 7, Eli, 4, and Haylee, 3 - were already familiar with agriculture and farming as their families have raised sheep. But the Grange was new both to the Elams and to their community.

Several people interested in starting a Grange and participating in the Grange Youth Fair program in Winnemucca had found mentors in High Desert Grange, nearly two hours away in Fallon, Nevada, and support from Fair Program participants and leaders even over the state line into California.

As they worked to officially organize what became Silver Sage Grange #22, which completed its paperwork in January 2019, and recently received its charter, the Elams began on their journey, not realizing all that was in store.

“We’ve always had animals and we wanted to do something with animals with the kids but we also wanted to get more involved with our community. It seemed like Grange was the right fit,” Lacey said.

From the ability for the entire family to attend one meeting to the expectation of community service for members, Grange allowed the family to not only pass on valuable details about good husbandry but also actively participate in outreach and service that can teach their children good values.

Some of those values, though, are first learned at home, like discipline, work ethic and responsibility - all things taking part in a youth agriculture and livestock program is well known to inculcate.

Lacey said she has seen the growth of her oldest son the most so far through the process.

He has shown a patience she did not expect and has taken on the role of mentor for his younger brother, Blake.

But Lacey said Blake brings to the table his own talents, and a kind of congeniality and positive attitude that help the brothers continue on to get the work done while staying excited about the endeavor.

“It’s definitely brought them closer and created a bond,” Lacey said of the boys.

For her, one of the most notable moments so far has been to see the maturity and resiliency of Colton when things didn’t go as hoped at his first show.

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Photos, including front cover and section cover, by Lacey Elam Blake Elam, 7, works with his lamb, Lily, preparing for an upcoming Jackpot show where he will be a Grange Youth Fair Program competitor.

“He wasn’t walking great,” Lacey said of Colton’s lamb, Yankee.

“Yankee’s never gone to town or been around other lambs except his sister here, Lily,” she said referring to Blake’s lamb.

“So he was distracted and Colton got really frustrated,” she said. “He got tenth place out of ten and was really disappointed.”

She said if that had happened in the past, she would have expected her son to want to go home or to quit. She offered the out, telling him they could leave and keep practicing at home.

Instead, she said, he made clear he wanted to stay and attend a showmanship class after lunch.

“He said, ‘I want to stay. I want to work him through this,’” Lacey said, taking a moment not to get tearful recalling the event with pride.

“I think it was a major eye-opener for our 11-year-old (Colton),” Lacey said. “He’s grown up with livestock but to have his very own lamb that is fully his responsibility has been

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an adjustment. Getting up each morning,

through the Fair Program, she is excited

feeding, grooming, exercising, even the

with the great many other possibilities

days that are rain or snow or you just

Grange has in store for her family.

don’t feel like it, you get up and do it anyway,” Lacey said. “It’s life lessons.”

“We just recently learned all the rest the Grange has to offer. Until we went

Lacey said that each of the children

to the meetings, we didn’t really know

has an animal that they will take part in

the history and the different rich areas

caring for, logging details of their health

of expertise and the sense of community

and activities and ultimately become

that was built into the organization,”

part of the food system.

Lacey said. “It just opens up more things

“Yankee hasn’t been a pet. He will go to market and he will be food,” Lacey said. “They grow up in this lifestyle and

that we can do” including Lego Robotics and sewing classes.

Lacey

said

she

is

particularly

they know this is what our animals are

interested in having her kids take part in

for. We love them. We care for them. We

Lego Robotics and for her and her kids

give them a good life and we make sure

to take sewing classes.

they are healthy and honored.”

Lacey said that while the family initially focused on the livestock aspect offered

“It’s amazing that all of this is available and now that we’re a part of it, there is a whole work to explore.”

Photo by Lacey Elam Blake Elam and his lamb, Lily, compete in their first Jackpot show.

VIEWPOINT

Quest for family-focused ag org leads group to Grange

By Gloria Montero Lecturer, High Desert Grange In July of 2015 a group of youth, adults and families met in Fallon, Nevada to explore the possibility of starting a local Grange.

Many had already participated and served in 4-H, FFA, after school programs and so forth.

However, we were looking for something different, something more family-focused that would provide an avenue for our families to work with and for our community.

We were chartered, taking the name High Desert Grange, soon after our first meeting .

In our first year we quickly put together a livestock youth program and had a youth show within a few months.

At the same time, we created a program called Lego Robotics.

We wanted to make sure our initial programs did well before we expanded them.

We were blessed early on when Lattin Farms agreed to let us use their meeting room. Our first year was successful.

Families joined.

Our second year brought a livestock jackpot, a Youth

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Leadership Program in conjunction with our local Oasis Toastmasters club, classes in sewing, large and small animal care, and more. We put together outdoor hikes, trips to historical sites in northern Nevada, a community service project to clean our local state park clean up. We also sent youth ages 14 to 18 to participate in the Range camp.

We continue to expand our programs and opportunities, all of which are open to our members and our community.

Today we continue to offer our High Rollers Jackpot Show, Lego Robotics, the Youth Leadership Program, classes in animal husbandry, and one large community service project each year.

We now offer classes in art, canning, the CERT program, cooking, crafts, CPR and first aid, crochet, dance, emergency preparedness, gardening, gun safety, ham radio, horseback riding, photography, rodeo riding, sewing, writing and more.

Additionally, we participate in the National Junior Livestock Show and other livestock shows in the northern Nevada and northern California areas.

Our membership continues to grow. Our group is inclusive and we encourage working together with 4-H, FFA, and all community groups as well as working to help create new Grange groups within the northern Nevada area. We have many community partners and sponsors and our volunteers are what make our program.

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Youth Fair Program piece of new Grange puzzle in Nevada On May 11, a group of some of the nation’s newest Grangers received their charter, becoming the fourth active Grange in Nevada.

National Grange Director of Leadership and Membership Development Joe Stefenoni traveled to the small city of Winnemucca, population just over 7,000, to present the charter to members of Silver Sage Grange #24, which formally organized in January.

“A Grange’s charter is like its birth certificate and gives a Grange its official recognition from the National and State Granges,” Stefenoni said.

As part of the charter presentation, Stefenoni read the language of the charter to the members and installed their officers.

Silver Sage Grange has a number of activities planned, primarily focused on Junior and Youth age members including Lego Robotics, sewing, crafts, and livestock education through the Grange Youth Fair Program.

Silver Sage Grange is the fourth active Community Grange in Nevada today, though the history of the Grange in Nevada stretched back to 1874 when Alfalfa Grange #1 was organized in Reno.

The National Grange is currently working with members in Nevada to spread

Photo by Joe Stefenoni In April, members of Silver Sage Grange #22 in Winnemucca, Nevada, were presented their charter at a special meeting with National Grange Membership and Leadership Development Director Joe Stefenoni present. the organization to other communities.

Stefenoni said he is targeting 2021 as the year when the process of organizing the first ever State Grange of Nevada will begin.

If you know of individuals who live in Nevada who would be interested in joining or organizing a Community Grange, contact Joe Stefenoni at membership@ nationalgrange.org.

Grange calls on Congress to fully fund farmer suicide prevention program Recently the National Grange signed onto a letter with more than 40 other ag-oriented organizations that urges Congress to fully fund a program designed to address farmer stress and suicide in the 2020 appropriations bill.

The pilot of the program, called the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network, provided grants for extension services, state departments of agriculture, nonprofit organizations and other entities to provide stress assistance programs to farmers, ranchers, farmworkers, and other agriculture-related occupations.

Farm helplines and website, training programs and workshops, outreach services, and home delivery of assistance were just some of the pilot initiatives funded to help reduce the risk of suicide among the nation’s farmers and ranchers.

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In the letter sent to Congress, the groups point to a dearth of rural mental health services and the market pressures exacerbating other stressful conditions faced by farmers.

“The current prolonged farm economy downturn is causing even greater stress for farmers and ranchers. Net farm income in 2018 was nearly 50 percent less than it was in 2013. While current projections suggest slight improvements in 2019, a significant rebound could be years away.

“As the Subcommittee develops the FY 2020 agriculture appropriations bill, we urge you to fully fund the FRSAN at $10 million. This funding will be critically important in meeting the needs of farmers and ranchers as they endure increasing financial and mental stress.”

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Virginia farmer to receive Ag Advocate Award The National Agriculture in the Classroom Organization (NAITCO) and National Grange have selected Virginia beef and dairy farmer and educator Debbie Brubaker as the winner of its Agriculture Advocate Award for 2019.

The award has been sponsored annually by the Grange Foundation as a way to honor those who find innovating and effective ways to educate children about agriculture.

Brubaker won the award for expanding her ‘Dairy Day’ event into one that covers 20 different commodities to educate students about local agriculture, participating in STEM school events to demonstrate to students the important role agriculture plays in science and the natural world, reading as part of Virginia Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom’s Agriculture Literacy Project and hosting hundreds of students at ‘Dairy Days’ at the Franklin County Fair each year. Brubaker estimates she has reached about 60,000 students with the message of the importance of agriculture over the years.

But it’s Brubaker’s graphic design skills that make her special.

“The impact in a small, rural community would be impressive in its own right, but it’s Debbie’s creativity in reaching children that makes her remarkable,” said Tammy Maxey, senior manager of Virginia Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom. “Her off-the-farm work as a graphic designer …. has paid dividends in her volunteer projects. She has created nearly life-sized replicas showing students a cow’s digestive system and a milking cow. These models have evolved over time thanks to her creativity, skill, and eye for design.”

“Dairy farming has been in the news so much this year, with the financial crisis, the definition of milk, and move to allow whole milk in schools, that Debbie’s educational work on dairy is extremely important and timely,” said Betsy Huber, Grange Foundation President.

“The

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Grange Foundation is proud to present this award each year, and winners keep amazing us with their passion, creativity and impact on both children and educators they serve.”

“National Agriculture in the Classroom and state Agriculture in the Classroom programs depend on volunteers like Debbie Brubaker to deliver agricultural literacy outreach to schools in their communities,” NAITCO President Will Fett said. “Agriculture in the Classroom’s strength lies in its grassroots network of volunteers like Ms. Brubaker who are passionate about spreading agricultural literacy in schools.”

Brubaker’s work as an agricultural spokesperson began in 2001 with her involvement in her children’s school.

She and another “dairy mom” began a “Dairy Day” in 2006. They personally financed the event, which began with three stations that educated students about dairies and farming. The program has since expanded to 20 stations covering gardening, composting, milking, food safety, healthy and balanced food choices, ATV and farm safety, farm chores, pollinators, and agricultural predators. In 2008, Brubaker and her partner joined the Franklin County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee which has provided financial stability. They estimate the event impacts at least 275 students annually and more than 3,000 students in Franklin County over the years.

Brubaker will be presented with the award at breakfast Friday June 21 at the National Agriculture in the Classroom National Conference ‘AgVenture in the Natural State’ in the Wally Allen Ballroom at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock, AR. The National Grange is a family, community organization with its roots in agriculture. Founded in 1867, the Grange was formed as a national organization with a local focus. Its members are given the opportunity to learn and grow to their full potential as citizens and leaders.

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Submitted Photo Debbie Brubaker, a dairy farmer from Virginia, is the 2019 Agriculture Advocate of the Year, an award sponsored by Grange Foundation and given by the National Agriculture in the Classroom organization.

NAITCO is a non-profit organization representing state Agriculture in the Classroom programs in most of the 50 states and six territories. It provides webbased K-12 lesson plans and companion resources, a national conference, national awards programs and professional development opportunities for state Agriculture in the Classroom programs. Its mission is to increase agricultural literacy through K-12 education.

Founder’s farm still worthy of visit, support

By Ann Bercher Program Specialist Oliver Hudson Kelley Farm Oliver Kelley, a young, well-educated man from Boston, left his hometown in 1847 to seek opportunity in the west. Unsure where his best opportunity lay, but determined to use his communication skills, Kelley worked for six months as a reporter for the Chicago Tribune, and then went to Peoria, IL where he worked as a telegrapher. He moved further west to Burlington, IA, where he again worked in a telegrapher’s office. While working there, Kelley met Lucy Earle of Chillecothe, OH. They were married in the spring of 1849 and moved to the raw territory of Minnesota, armed with an introduction to Alexander Ramsey, the new territorial governor, who had himself just recently arrived. Kelley was working as a clerk for the territorial legislature at the time they were determining if the capital should remain in St. Paul or be moved elsewhere. Several potential sites were explored including one 2 miles downriver from a small trading post location called Itasca. The potential for financial gain was good, so Kelley and several other legislators (including Gov. Ramsey) claimed land out there with a Land Grant.

Immediate riches were not to be as the capital remained in St. Paul. To meet the requirements for the land grant, Kelley needed to make an improvement on the land. For unknown reasons, Ol-

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Submitted Photo Children get hands-on experience with animals when touring the Kelley Farm.

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iver Kelley decided to start farming. Tiny little detail; Kelley didn’t know the first thing about farming. He was a city boy. His father was a tailor. But Kelley was well educated. Maybe he knew something about business from his father. But he started farming, and learned about farming by the only method available to him….. he read books, and journals, and periodicals and every piece of information he could get his hands on. He used every resource available to him.

He was a book farmer, a rather negative comment back in the day. But Kelley took to heart every cutting edge piece of technology and every new scientific method of farming practice he could. He also received seed from the patent Office in Washington DC, and he tested and responded with information about what grew well in Minnesota and what didn’t.

He tracked weather for the Smithsonian for several years.

Kelley’s farming experience and his personal life was challenging. His wife Lucy died after the birth of their first child, who also died a few months later. Kelley remarried Temperance Lane Baldwin and together they had four daughters. As a New England Yankee, Kelley felt strongly about the separation of men and women’s spheres of labor, and he hired extra help to operate his farm. Weather and economic woes added to his difficulties.

We know much about Kelley’s farming operation as he was a voracious writer.

He wrote about his experiences farming in a newspaper column, The Farmer for the Salk Rapids Frontierman newspaper.

He wrote for the Country Gentleman. He wrote hundreds of letters to newspaper editors and government officials promoting MN as a great agricultural location, and later promoting the Grange.

Most of all, Kelley believed in people.

And he believed in farmers. He believed that they should be respected business people and thus organized several farming organizations to help educate, socialize and motivate farmers. He organized the first county agricultural society, the

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Submitted Photo Renovations in 2017 allowed the Kelley Farm to expand its offerings. It now includes a demonstration kitchen and allows visitors to get a better sense of how food comes from field to plate and how that process has evolved over more than a century and a half since Kelley owned and operated the farm with his family.

first territorial agricultural society and the first national agricultural society. Three of his original 6 organizations still exist today; the MN State Agricultural Society that runs the MN State Fair, the MN Fruit growers turned into the MN Horticultural Society, and The Patrons of Husbandry, the Grange.

Today, the Oliver Kelley Farm continues to tell the story of the dramatic change in agriculture technology that Kelley experienced from 1850 - 1876. Visitors to the historic farmstead can experience mid19th century farm life and lend a hand to the staff as they continue farming the land like Kelley did. Visitors discover how Oliver Kelley and farmers like him participated in Minnesota’s changing agricultural economy in the middle of the 19th century, and how those changes have continued to the present. Visitors also feel empathy for the

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scope of labor required by farm families of the past to the present, enriched by actively participating in agricultural activities such as hauling feed and water to the hogs, sheep, cattle and horses, stacking hay, doing laundry, harvesting produce from the gardens, or cooking on a wood burning cook stove. The Grange continues to be an important part of the story told at the Oliver Kelley Farm. Visitors experience a mid-19th century Grange hall set up in the historic house, and can talk to Grangers that are on staff, and those that visit or volunteer at the farm.

A recent revitalization of the Kelley Farm has maintained the historic nature of the farm, and added a new visitor center and ten acres of land is devoted to telling

the ongoing story of agriculture from 1876 to today. Continuing the legacy of Kelley, as an innovator, experimenter and educator, the new addition has been named Farm Lab. New areas to explore include the Farm lab Barn where visitors meet modern production animals such as chickens, sheep and cattle. The Farm Lab Garden is made up of several garden plots, exhibit gardens from eras such as the WWI War Gardens, WWII Victory Gardens, and contemporary gardens demonstrating changing plant varieties and gardening techniques. The Learning Kitchen is where visitors can explore and participate in cooking and preserving activities using seasonally available, actual farm to fork foods, using recipes from a variety of eras, regions and ethnic traditions. Videos of large scale farming operations are frequently shown to demonstrate the massive scale of agriculture today in direct contrast with the farming operation of Oliver Kelley. Visitors can also try their hand at constructing a windmill in the Visitor Center Exhibit, as Oliver Kelley used a windmill for the first irrigation system in Minnesota. And as at the historic farmstead, visitors are encouraged to participate in the ongoing care of plants, animals, and foods in all areas of Farm lab.

The operation of the Kelley Farm in its entirety requires the work of several staff including 19 interpreters, many in 19th century period clothing on the historic farmstead, 2 maintenance staff, a Program Specialist, a Farm Specialist, a Guest Services Supervisor and a Site Manager. The staff are a group of professional, trained, agriculture educators that bring history alive and literally puts agriculture into the visitor’s hands. A team of volunteers also help in the Visitor Center to greet visitors, help with office work, and assist with school groups on field trips.

Like Oliver Kelley, the current Kelley Farm also faces multiple challenges such as weather, economy and labor shortages.

Admission fees to the Kelley Farm and a small operating budget from the Minnesota Historical Society are used to pay staff, purchase feed, seed, clothing, livestock and other materials. And like all farms, funds are used to cover the unexpected occurrences such as machinery breakdowns, calls to the vet, and replacing broken items.

The revitalization of the Kelley Farm was funded with a Capital Bond Appropriation from the State of Minnesota which provided the one-time expenditure for construction. The ongoing operation relies on admission fees and donations.

“Philanthropic gifts to the Oliver Kelley Farm provide programming for approximately 40,000 annual visitors (including 19,000 students!) and the care and upkeep of both the historic

Submitted Photo In 2019, Junior Grangers across the nation have taken up the cause of the Kelley Farm as their philanthropic outreach, raising money to support the livestock and educational programs at the site. This support is essential to raise awareness about agriculture among those often disconnected from their food, fiber and fuel. and modern areas of this amazing site. Charitable contributions to the Oliver Kelley Farm have also established the new Visitor Center, and all of the wonderful enhancements it offers to the visitor experience. National Grange support is critical to the success of the Kelley Farm and our ability to transform lives through the power of history’” said Brenda Raney, Chief Development Officer, Minnesota Historical Society.

The National Grange, State Granges, and Junior Granges from around the country have generously continued to support the work of the Kelley Farm. These donations have helped purchase livestock feed, new farm equipment, furniture for the historic house, and period clothing for staff. Donations to the Friends of the Kelley Farm have helped to provide scholarships for school groups so that they can afford to visit the Kelley Farm on field trips. Thank you to all who have so generously donated to the Kelley Farm! We are looking forward to many of you visiting during the National Convention in November!

Make Note: DIRECTOR ADDRESS CHANGE Please send all Junior Grange submissions and other correspondence to the National Grange Headquarters at National Grange, ATTN: Juniors, 1616 H St., NW, 11th Floor, Washington, DC 20006.

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Fundraising project connects Juniors with founder

By Samantha Wilkins National Junior Grange Director The Oliver Hudson Kelley Farm in Elk River, Minn., is home of one of the founders of our Grange Order. They could use the aid of the Junior Grangers from across the country to help feed the animals at the Kelley Farm. With workhorses, oxen, milk cows, pigs, sheep, and chickens to feed every day of the year, all donations large or small are greatly appreciated and will help with the feed costs a great deal.

Plan with your Junior Grangers a way to ‘support an animal’ on the Kelley Farm.

Here is a break down of how much it costs just for grain to feed the animals on the Kelley Farm: •

Raising a pig from birth to finish = $150 (one season)

•

Broiler hatch to finish (5 weeks) = $5

River MN 55330. You can also send an

•

Turkey hen (14 weeks) = $17

email to kelleyfarm@mnhs.org.

•

Turkey Tom (18 weeks) = $19

To see pictures of the Kelley Farm

•

Care for a horse per year = $1800

•

Care for a Cow per year = $900

You can write to the farm for more

animals, visit the Minnesota Historical

•

Care for an Ox per year= $1000

information at Oliver H. Kelley Farm, c/o

Society website at www.mnhs.org, and

•

Lamb birth to yearling = $150

Ann Bercher, 15788 Kelley Farm Rd., Elk

click on Oliver H. Kelley Farm.

Oliver Hudson Kelley Farm donation form Junior Grange Name: __________________________________________ # __________ State: _________ Number of Members: __________ Leader’s Name:____________________________________________ Junior Grange Mailing Address: ____________________________________________________________ City, State, Zip: __________________________________________ Phone: __________________________ DONATION AMOUNT: $_______________ PLEASE MAKE YOUR CHECKS PAYABLE TO GRANGE FOUNDATION. In the memo line, please write Kelley Farm and enclose with this form. Checks should be sent to Grange Foundation, 1616 H St. NW, 11th Floor, Washington, DC 20006.

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Juniors: Time to add next chapter to your Grange story

By Samantha Wilkins

presentation/retiring, and retiring the emblem)

National Junior Grange Director

5. 200-word biography for each of the founding Grange members.

6. Create a display about the history of your State

All of our Grange Stories start somewhere, many of ours started in the Junior Grange.

Grange. (Submit pictures of the display) 7. Write a 1-page typed summary of what your hopes

Members of the Grange can remember a time when they were asked by a member to take on a new roll or task or were even provided with a new leadership opportunity.

and dreams are for the future of the Grange.

8. Submit 2 letters of recommendations (1. Junior Leader, 2. Educational leader) explaining your desire to gain

At each Grange meeting from Juniors to Subordinates

knowledge of the Grange.

even on to the National Grange we begin each meeting with

Once Juniors have completed all of the above steps they

some of the same rituals, opening the bible, saluting the flag

will be honored during the Junior Grange Breakfast at Na-

and joining together in song.

tional Session for their accomplishments. This award will rep-

We open and close the Grange in very similar forms. We

resent a Junior Granger who has gone above and beyond

have greetings or salutations that are spoken across every

to prove that they demonstrate a superior knowledge of the

level of the Grange.

Junior Grange and Grange History. This award is supervised

Through these rituals and obligations spoken each time

and administered by the National Junior Grange Director. All

Grangers gather we began to truly grasp the vital importance

candidates are expected to submit a completed application

and understanding of our roots and of our Grange culture.

and all required documentation. Requirements must be cer-

Juniors it is time for you to write the next chapter to your

tified by Junior leader, Subordinate Master, or Junior Depu-

Grange Story by considering applying for the Junior Histo-

ty. Award applications must be submitted and postmarked

rian Award or to be the next Junior Grange Ambassador of

by September 1.

your state and possibly the new National Junior Grange Ambassador.

JUNIOR AMBASSADOR

JUNIOR HISTORIAN

of your state! Junior leaders! Do you have a junior who seems

Juniors! I want you to join us this year as a representative

Through the Junior Historian Award, Juniors will be en-

to go above and beyond the call of duty for your Grange?

couraged and pushed to explore the history of our organiza-

The purpose of the National Junior Grange Ambassa-

tion through studying and exemplifying the rituals, learning

dor program is to provide an opportunity for outstanding

about our founders, and discovering more about their own

Junior Grangers, selected by their State Grange, to attend

states history.

the National Grange Convention and build their leadership

To earn the Junior Historian Award, you must complete the following requirements:

potential.

They will be given the opportunity to build relationships

1. Must be a Junior Grange member for a minimum of 2 years and in good standing.

with other Junior Grangers and Grangers across the Nation.

They will receive vital training that will be instrumental in

2. Submit a copy of the Junior Grange Knowledge test.

Test may be scored by State Director. But, score will be con-

developing the Junior Grange programs within their state, as well as preparing them for their future in the Grange.

firmed by National Junior Grange Director. A score of 80%

A maximum of two Junior Grangers per state, one male

or higher is required to pass. All tests answers must be hand

and one female, may be chosen to represent their State at

written by applicant.

the National Convention.

3. Must be able to recite the Junior Grange Pledge and display the Junior Grange Grip

One candidate will be chosen through a process of interviews and observations made by a council of judges. The

4. Be able to adequately explain procedures used when

candidate that is chosen will be selected as the National Ju-

opening and closing the Grange (opening the Bible, Flag

nior Grange Ambassador and will be a representative of the

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National Junior Grange program for a one-year term.

Other candidates not selected to serve as National Junior

tional convention with them.

Applicants must submit the following:

Ambassador will have the opportunity to serve on the Na-

1. 4 letters of recommendations from:

tional Junior Grange Council-There are several council posi-

a. State Master

tions open each year. These members will assist the National

b. State Junior Director (if applicable)

Ambassador with tasks from their home states throughout

c. Junior Leader (if applicable)

the year and each member will have a direct focus (i.e. contests, agriculture, ritualism etc.) for the betterment of the organization and its programming needs.

Applications are not guarantee selection for council or ambassador.

All applicants are required to meet the following criteria: 1. Must be a Junior Grange member for a minimum of 3 years.

2. Must be between the ages of 10-14 years, having observed their 10th birthday, but not their 15th by December 3. Applicants must be able to attend National Convention to represent their state during Junior Grange activity 4. Applicants must have a parent or guardian attend Na-

o G

3. 1-page biography telling about yourself, your family, and your Junior Grange Achievements.

4. Attach a 1-page essay on “Why you would like to represent the National Grange as the NJGA” DEADLINE TO SUBMIT APPLICATION one female representative. **At this time all Ambassadors must be able to attend National Convention and all Junior Activities at their own

days (Thursday-Saturday) at their own costs.

!

Y A D od

2. Headshot- a photograph containing only yourself

September 1 Each State Grange may send one male and

31st of the year they attend National Session.

™

d. Educational Leader (i.e. teacher, Sunday school teacher etc.)

cost*

2019 Junior Grange submission topics

We want to encourage all of our young writers and artists out there! Each quarter we will have a

new topic for our Juniors to inspire their creation of potential content for the magazine!

The work must be your own original writing. You may get your parent, guardian or another mentor or adult’s

assistance to write or draw the piece, but we expect all those who assist to adhere to high ethical standards and allow the

Junior’s work to be reflected without influence by the adult/older assistant.

Fall issue: Delicious Dairy OR Getting together with Grange Friends. Due July 15 | Winter issue: D-I-Y Gifts. Due Oct. 15 Submissions may be made via email to communications@nationalgrange.org. At least one entry per quarter will have their submission published in the related issue of Good Day!™ magazine. Honorable mentions may appear on the Junior Grange website or National Grange website.

RULES •

Contest is open only to Junior Grange Members in good standing and submission of entry is acknowledgment that publication is allowed by both Junior and parent/guardian.

•

Entries can be any of the following: photo essay (at least 3 photos on the same topic that tell a larger story) with captions for each photo identifying the people in the photo if applicable and what is happening in the scene; short story (max. 1,000 words); poem; essay/article (maximum 1,500 words and must include at least 2 relevant photographs with captions); skit (no more than 6 speaking characters; should not take more than 10 minutes to perform and should not require elaborate set); D-I-Y (do-it-yourself) project with supply list, step-by-step instructions and photos of each step; or open category.

•

Each entry must be labeled with name, mailing address, phone number and email (if applicable) and birthday of Junior member and the state, name and number of the Junior Grange OR Subordinate Grange with which the Junior 1+ member is affiliated.

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DON'T HIDE

YOUR PRIDE

GET OUT YOUR RED SHOES

JUNIOR GRANGE MONTH CELEBRATE WITH US

JULY 2019 62

nationaljuniorgrange.org

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4 Grange Youth selected for training to tackle opioid crisis The National Grange Youth Department has teamed up with the Community AntiDrug Coalition of America, CADCA, to create a Rural Youth Advisory Council.

CADCA works through community coalitions to prevent alcohol, tobacco and other drug abuse. They provide technical assistance and training, public policy advocacy, media strategies and marketing programs, training and special events to people who want to help create safe and healthy communities.

Four Grange Youth from across the country were nominated by Grangers to represent the National Grange at the MidYear Leaders Training in Grapevine, Texas, in July-- Loretta Nieto, Texas, Britney Mercado, New York, Ava Greiner-Riley, Rhode Island, and Addison Eyler, Maryland.

Several applications were received, but the four-youth stood out amongst the group. Each girl has shown leadership in their local and state Granges. They have each seen the effects of drug abuse in their communities and have a desire to help fight the spiraling crisis across the country.

“I believe these four young women will take seriously this opportunity and their input during the training and insights that will be baked into the outcomes of the program will be a major step forward in tackling the opioid crisis that is plaguing our nation, especially our rural areas,” National Grange Youth Development Director Mandy Bostwick said.

Bostwick said every one of the youth understands the need for community engagement to solve the issue and peer-topeer leadership in order to stem the abuse of opioids, often taken for their intended use and leading to an unintended addiction.

“Education for people prescribed these medicines or who choose to take someone

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else’s prescribed opioid for serious pain is so important. Most people don’t realize how quickly you can become addicted to these drugs and what the spiral of addiction will do to their lives,” Bostwick said.

Bostwick said each of the four ladies bring a different Grange background that will allow them to determine how the tools they help create can be used by Grange communities to combat this crisis.

Loretta Nieto, 19, of San Antonio, Texas, is a member of Alamo Grange #1446.

Her family plays a very important role in her life.

She is a 2018 high school graduate, leading her class academically and obtaining an Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts.

While in high school, Loretta kept herself busy with sports, academics, and other programs. Her freshman and sophomore years she played on the junior varsity soccer team and served as the team captain. She ran varsity cross county her sophomore year and was a power lifter her senior year.

She participated in many community service clubs, having served as parliamentarian in National Honor Society and Vice President of the AVID club.

She is now a full-time college student at Palo Alto College, finishing prerequisites in order to attend nursing school at the University of Health Science Center. She intends on obtaining her Bachelors degree in science and nursing. She is looking forward to continuing to a doctoral degree.

Her career goal is to be a pediatric nurse practitioner.

Outside of school, she keeps herself occupied with church, working as a cheer coach, staying physically fit, and participating in other organizations, especially the Grange.

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LORETTA NIETO She became active in the Grange five years ago when she moved to San Antonio with her grandparents. Her great-parents introduced her grandparents to the Grange at a young age by taking her grandmother to Junior Grange meetings.

Loretta is a fourth-generation Granger and is currently serving as the Overseer of her local Grange. When the Grange was introduced to her, she had full interest in it.

She felt so inspired by the many community service projects and the values the Grange holds.

Loretta has a passion for helping those around her and within her community. She is thrilled to learn of the many things that this experience will offer and what she will be able to contribute to Grangers in Texas and across the nation.

Britney Mercado of New York, 16, is a sophomore at Stissing Mt. High School.

She is active in many sports and activities such as varsity track and field, varsity

BRITNEY MERCADO

AVA GRENIER-RILEY

ADDISON EYLER

soccer, and yearbook club. She joined Stanford Grange #808 less than a year ago as something new to try. She seized the opportunity to help the community in numerous ways, but also enjoys getting to be a part of the Grange family.

Living close to her Grange Hall has given her many opportunities to answer the call whenever someone needs her. She truly enjoys working with her fellow Grangers.

She is busy as a student, but she rarely misses an event.

She thanks Katie Fallon, Teresa Fallon and Ryan Orton, all of Stanford Grange, for guiding her through her Grange adventure and helping her find who she really is.

She also thanked her friend, Sasha Secor, for telling her to join Grange. Without that push, she said she wouldn’t have learned about the Grange and wouldn’t have taken the opportunity to join.

When not playing sports and fulfilling duties as a member of her Grange, she spends time working with her dad and listening to music.

She said that she is very grateful to be nominated to participate in this training and honored to have been selected for the opportunity to represent the Grange and work with CADCA.

Ava Grenier-Riley is a high school sophomore and member of Chepachet Grange #38 in Gloucester, Rhode Island.

Ava has dedicated her life to community service by raising awareness about ocean pollution, juvenile diabetes, homelessness, and poverty.

She has helped to combat these issues by volunteering hundreds of hours at an inner-city social service agency and at her local zoo’s camp program as a counselor-intraining. During this time, Ava has created resources guides for needy families and individuals, fundraised for and delivered meals, and advocated for policy change with local, state, and national lawmakers.

Her curiosity has provoked questions about social and environmental factors that challenge health equity.

Growing up in a low-income, single parent family with her mom and little brother, Ava is not unfamiliar with the costliness of the nation’s opioid crisis.

She has watched her father struggle with an opioid addiction throughout her life.

This has brought many challenges to the family, friends and community around him.

Ava knows the best way to address drugs is to stop abuse before it starts. She also knows that drug abuse is classless,

affecting poor and wealthy people alike.

Ava said she is excited about the opportunity to learn tools through the CADCA training to create awareness of what the country’s opiate epidemic is doing to our society and how we can work together to build strong, resilient, drugfree communities.

Addison Eyler, 16, is a sophomore at Catoctin High School in Thurmont, Maryland.

She is a member of Thurmont Grange #409. She enjoys singing and acting and most recently had the lead role in her school’s musical, The Pajama Game.

She plays the cymbals in the high school’s marching band.

She enjoys spending time watching 80’s movies, studying Latin and history.

She said she is looking forward to the CADCA training in Texas this summer and bringing back useful information to share with her community and Grange.

She said she is honored to have been selected for this opportunity.

During this four-day training, the Grange Youth will team up with other rural youth to create a tool kit that will serve rural areas to help fight the opioid crisis and other drug abuse in rural America.

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Ambassador ‘blessed’ with opportunity to give back

By Maggie Swartzendruber Communications Fellow OR State Grange Lady Asst. Steward As a still fairly new Granger, Rylee Furr has been no stranger to leadership roles within our organization.

Starting her Grange story in 2013, Rylee joined the Grange after her younger brother, Mason, was gifted a dictionary from their local Grange.

When Mason came home from school, he asked their mom if he could go to the next meeting to thank the members. As it turns out, their grandparents were already members who gladly took him to the meeting.

After that, Mason went to camp that summer and when Rylee heard all about her brother’s experience, she and her other brother, Caden joined Mason at the next Grange meeting.

After being a member for only a year, Rylee decided to apply for the North Carolina Youth Leadership Team.

Rylee went through the application and interview process, when she was then asked to join the team.

She says that this is one of her favorite memories from the beginning of her story as she was able to choose the theme, Be Bold, for camp that year. This is when Rylee learned of the emphasis the Grange puts on including new members in planning and implementing activities to create a sense of being needed.

Overall, Rylee’s favorite memory has been serving on the North Carolina Youth Leadership Team because of the people she was able to serve with.

Some of her best friends were also on the team at that time, which helped them all have great chemistry and be able to work well together.

During this time she was the State Youth President and able to travel the

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Courtesy of NC State Grange & Rylee Furr Facebook A dictionary gifted by the local Grange opened 2019 female National Grange Youth Ambassador Rylee Furr’s eyes to the organization and she hasn’t looked back since.

state, and country, to promote the Grange with her team and state youth

self-identity for me.”

She also credits the Grange for being a refuge from the struggles

director.

When asked what it means to her

of being in high school, which she

to be selected as the National Female

believes almost any youth member can

Youth Ambassador, Rylee said, “It

attest to high school being rough and a

means more to me than words can

dog-eat-dog world.

describe. The Grange has given me so

Although she didn’t know anybody

much and has served as an outlet of

when she attended her first camp, she

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Submitted Photo The 2019 Youth Team and National Grange Youth Director Mandy Bostwick, center, take a moment to pose in front of the National headquarters in Washington, D.C., before getting down to business during National Ag Day events in March.

From left, Outstanding Young Patrons Brittney Oliver, Washington, and Katie Fallon, New York; Bostwick; Youth Ambassadors, Rylee Furr and Zac Mazag, both of North Carolina. was welcomed with open arms and left that week with a new family.

“I’m so blessed with the opportunity to give back to an organization that has given me everything.”

When talking to Rylee, her passion for the Grange shows through above all else. She wants to see the youth department and Grange as a whole progress into the future and grow overall.

Without the Grange, Rylee says she wouldn’t be the person she is today. It has empowered her to speak in front of groups of people, emcee a banquet, and learn sign language. Rylee performed with the Grange Bellas, a North Carolina group, in the sign-a-song contest two years in a row, which helped grow her confidence.

Rylee also deepened her life-long political attraction and interest in the legislative side of the Grange when she began competing in the Parliamentary Procedure contest.

She was able to become more invested in legislation earlier this spring when she was able to meet with both of the North Carolina senators, as well as her House Representative at Ag Day in Washington, DC. Rylee and Zac Mazag, National Male Youth Ambassador, also from North Carolina, were able to discuss different issues that the National Grange lobbies for, while also discussing current issues in North Carolina. With her interest in politics and her mom being a County Commissioner, it’s no surprise to learn that Rylee wants to run for public office some day.

While she is looking forward to her year of serving as an Ambassador and creating memories all across the nation, Rylee said she is least looking forward to November, when she has to pass on her title.

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She says that she believes the greatest challenge this year will be saying goodbye to her fellow Ambassador Zac, and Outstanding Young Patrons Brittney Oliver, and Katie Fallon.

“They have already become some of my best friends in the Grange and I cannot imagine serving on the National Youth Team without them.”

“My life would not be the same if I would have not ever been introduced to the Grange” Rylee is currently attending North Carolina State University and is a rising senior, meaning she’ll be a senior in the fall.

As ambitious as she is, she is majoring in Polymer and Color Chemistry, with a concentration in medical sciences.

Submitted Photo Rylee Furr, right, and male National Youth Ambassador Zac Mazag, also of North Carolina, met with Congressman Richard Hudson at his office in Washington, D.C., during 2019 National Ag Day events with the Grange.

GOOD DAY!™ MAGAZINE www.nationalgrange.org

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Outstanding Young Patron says ‘Grange saved us’

By Katie Fallon 2019 National Grange Outstanding Young Patron My Grange journey began a little more than five years ago when I moved to Stanfordville, New York.

I grew up for most of my life in Hyde Park, NY, which is more of a quickly moving and growing suburb. My brother passed away and here I am in a new town with my mother not knowing a blessed soul.

We quickly became friends with our neighbors, who were Grange members. Of course, in typical Grange tradition, you meet a new person and try to get them to join the Grange. I was curious what this community service organization was all about.

See, I was lost; my brother, who had many medical needs, was taken from me, but I wanted to do something to remember him. So, I went to my first Grange meeting and couldn’t believe what happened in the short time I was there. These people were so accepting of me from the minute I pulled into their parking lot and I can tell you I never thought I belonged anywhere more.

That night, I became a first generation Granger and, two months later, my mother joined, too.

I can wholeheartedly say that the Grange saved us; it gave us a purpose again.

Remember, I mentioned my brother was ill my whole life and organizations similar to the Grange supported my family through the rough times.

I know I felt like this was my purpose, the chance I had been looking for to remember my brother. I quickly gained a very large family and jumped in feet first to doing everything I could when I was needed. My favorite memory

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Submitted Photo Katie Fallon, left, and her mother, Therese, take a moment before the 2018 Evening of Excellence at the 152nd Annual National Grange Convention, where Katie was named one of the two 2019 Outstanding Young Patrons. by far would have to be when I went

when I knew I wanted to be in the

to the 150th Annual National Grange

Ambassador Program. Being newer

Convention in Washington, DC. I had

to the Grange and not knowing the

never been to anything other than

history as well as others I thought

Subordinate

Grange

might become an issue, but I didn’t

meetings. I was like a sponge learning

and

Pomona

care – I was invested. The thought of

everything I could that was going on

being an ambassador and traveling the

at the National level and completely

country to continue meeting people

blown away by the fellowship of people

and spreading my ideas about the

I met for the first time.

youth program was all I wanted from

I think it was my second day there

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that moment going forward. Although

I wasn’t as seasoned as others, I felt my passion for growing

window. Even better, there is a balcony you can go out on

the youth program and my new/fresh ideas put me at an

and take fabulous pictures!

advantage. I’m a very vocal person and not afraid to put my

I had a blast experiencing this with the rest of the youth

ideas out there and potentially risk not having them work.

team. I think it was pretty cool when we had down time and

Everything is a learning experience; if you never fail, there’s

walked around the square near the White House and got

no way for you to continue to grow. This opportunity changed

frozen yogurt. It was super cool because people thought we

my life and outlook on what I want in my future in the Grange.

worked in DC and were asking us questions.

Being an Ambassador, you really see everything that goes on

I’m really looking forward to the rest of my year as Young

at a daily basis at Headquarters, and my goal is to someday

Patron traveling the country (some states I will visit will be a

work there. I have found such a respect for everything they

first) promoting the youth program. I’d be happy if I helped

do there on a daily basis as well as the Directors who are still

every youth I met get at least one of their friends to join with

a part of that scene but working at home.

the ideas I share that have worked at my hometown Grange.

If you haven’t ever been to the National Grange

But, one challenge that’s always on my mind is making sure

Headquarters, let me tell you what it’s like because I

I convey my points and ideas the right way. It’s important

guarantee some of you are envisioning some fancy building

when people hear what I have to talk about that they know

with people offering you coffee and big offices with glass

I’m not trying to have the youth take over. But, we need to

windows surrounding you. Well, get that idea out of your

find a common ground and learn to understand one another.

head because it’s nothing like that picture you may have.

If we don’t, the age gap is going to continue to grow and

The Grange may own the whole building, but they

nobody wants that. As I write all this, it’s hard because I

conduct most business out of a few offices on the 11th floor.

know in just a few months I’ll be handing the reins over

It’s a lot of shared space and I loved it! The best part was

to other hardworking Grange Youth. If I could have a job

sitting at Betsy’s desk when she left (sorry, Betsy, if you’re

traveling the country full-time promoting Grange, I would

reading this), but I could see the White house from her desk

take it in a heartbeat!

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Final book of 3 reveals Grange as major player

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H

→

Authors Clark Hays and Kathleen McFall have released Bonnie and Clyde: Radioactive—the third, and final, novel in the wise-cracking what-if series about the infamous duo that features the National Grange and its members—as major characters.

As most of us know from history, Bonnie and Clyde were outlaws and bank robbers who captured the imagination of America during the Great Depression. Initially cheered as working-class heroes fighting back for the common man when poverty and unemployment were sky high, things got ugly when the infamous lovers turned murderous. Even so, the legend of the notorious lovers lives on more than eighty years after their deaths.

While their story is a regular staple of movies, books and music, these tend to center on the short lives (and bloody end) of the doomed couple. By contrast, the central premise of this unique series is—what might have happened if Bonnie and Clyde survived?

In this fictional account, the outlaw heroes are kidnapped just before the fatal ambush in 1934 and forced to work covertly for the government, defending the working class. Their special skills—violence and cunning, plus an unwavering love and trust in each other—make them effective, but expendable assets. As they undertake dangerous assignments, Bonnie and Clyde also address their own failures and put themselves on a path to redemption.

In the first book, Resurrection Road, the outlaws race to save President (and famous Granger) Franklin D. Roosevelt from an assassin trying to scuttle the New Deal.

In Dam Nation, the second book, Bonnie and Clyde are dispatched to save Hoover Dam, a federally-funded infrastructure project, from sabotage that could derail the country’s economic recovery.

In book three, Radioactive—released May 23, the 85th anniversary of the outlaws’ “alleged” deaths—they are deep undercover at the Hanford site (in Richland, Washington, part of The Manhattan Project), trying to protect atomic secrets from Russian and Nazi spies.

The plot of all three books switches back and forth between the 1980s, where the elderly and newly-widowed Bonnie shares the real story of their lives with a down-on-hisluck reporter, and their risky escapades in the 1930s and 40s.

So, what role does the National Grange play?

The members are quiet heroes in all three books—they provide a network of safe houses so the reformed outlaws can accomplish their missions to defend the working class and rural Americans. In Radioactive, Grange members play their biggest role yet.

Hays and McFall have long admired the Grange, and got

Radioactive is the final in the three-part series of novels

that re-imagines what could have happened to the infamous

outlaws, Bonnie and Clyde, had they not died in 1934 but instead began working for good.

the idea for making the organization a pivotal character in the what-if trilogy from historical research combined with road

trips around their home in Oregon where the Grange is active.

“With the Grange’s history of advocacy for rural communities and its forward-thinking initiatives, who better to be a force behind rehabilitating Bonnie and Clyde and putting them on the trail to fight against the fat cats responsible for the Great Depression?” said author Clark Hays.

There are a few steamy scenes between Bonnie and Clyde (making the series geared to Youth-age and older) and the action is non-stop thrilling with plenty of laughs, but the trilogy also tells a serious tale about economic fairness and the challenge of redemption. A recent review from Kirkus compared the fictional versions of Bonnie and Clyde to another famous couple of the 1930s —wisecracking Nick and Nora Charles from The Thin Man—noting that “underlying all the shenanigans is a serious consideration of the nature of patriotism in America.”

The series is available on Amazon or at your favorite bookstore. More information—and author-signed copies—are available at www.pumpjackpress.com.

GOOD DAY!™ MAGAZINE www.nationalgrange.org

→

Mercantile

→

2019

→

→

Calling all crafters

→

ETCH · Paint · Quilt · CORE · Chisel · Stamp · Weave · Draw · WHITTLE · Tooling

→

Grange Foundation

→

The Grange Foundation Mercantile is seeking donations of high-quality handcrafted items (wood carved items, knife blocks, cutting boards, hand or machine-made quilts, leatherwork, upcycled art, metalwork, painted metal or cutouts, handmade fishing flies; driftwood items, antler arts, rock art, stained glass, gemstone/sterling jewelry, felted craft, hand-spun yarn, baskets, etc.).

→

→

Donations may be hand-delivered to the 153rd Annual National Grange Convention or sent to the Oliver Hudson Kelley Farm at 15788 Kelley Farm Road, Elk River, MN 55330. If delivering to the DoubleTree by Hilton Bloomington-Minneapolis South, donations must be received by Tuesday, November 5, 2019. Donations sent must be received by no later than October 31 and should be clearly marked ATTN: GRANGE MERCANTILE.

→

→

Once received, the items will be prepared for sale at the Mercantile and all profits will go to the Grange Foundation, a charitable 501(c)(3) organization.

All donations will receive a thank you letter from the Foundation.

→

Questions or inquiries?

Contact National Grange Lecturer Christine Hamp at

lecturer@nationalgrange.org or by phone at (509) 953-3533.

The

Grange

Foundation

Bind · Sculpt · Forge · blow · SOLDER · carve · WELD

Dairy delightful!

How

By Amanda Brozana Rios

National Grange Communications & Development Director A 2018 study published in one of the top medical journals, the Lancet, showed what most of us have known for years – dairy really does do a body good.

The researchers concluded that frequent consumption of dairy lowers mortality rates and the rate of stroke and cardiovascular disease.

In fact, researchers even suggest that whole fat or low fat, doesn’t matter. Just consuming dairy in whatever fat content you prefer is good for you.

However, type “dairy is good for you” into Google and you’d come to think quite the opposite with just the top returned sites. Not until at least six down do you come across a WebMD article entitled “Even high-fat dairy might be good for you.”

Besides the hurt put on the dairy industry from other factors like competition from plant-based products labeled as milk and market conditions, it’s the move away from frequent consumption of dairy products – especially milk – by American consumers has had one of the biggest impacts on our dairy farmers. Since 1975, we’ve seen a more than 100 pound per person consumption drop in milk in the United States. However, consumption of other dairy products, with the exception of cottage cheese, has been more steadily on the rise, but not enough to offset the losses from fewer gallons of milk consumed.

Now that we know research proves that dairy is good for us, what else can we learn about dairy products and dairy farming, specifically that related to cows?

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First, every state as at least one dairy and overwhelmingly, dairy farms are owned and operated by family producers who are part of cooperatives.

According to the USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS), in 2017 – the latest data available – consumers an average of $3.23 for a gallon of whole milk, but the farm share of that gallon was just over half at 51 percent. This is the one of the best case scenarios for dairy farmers who only see 19 percent return on the milk produced and used in a half-gallon of ice cream, but make about $2.15 of the average sale price of $3.54 on each pound of butter sold.

In all, milk prices are at their lowest point in more than 50 years – meaning farmers are getting paid significantly less when adjusted for inflation – with many dairymen reporting losing money on every sale rather than making money to stay in business.

In many other industries, we find

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it easy to throw up our hands and say “there’s no way I can help” but together, each of us can help turn the tide for our dairy industry by adding more dairy to our diets – and in doing so we may be improving our own health.

Substituting milk for sugary soda or eating a cheese stick or cottage cheese as a snack instead of chips are all ways we can help be the change everyday for the future of our dairy industry and help meet the two to three servings of dairy suggested by USDA and many medical professionals.

Enjoy some of the recipes found on the next pages that highlight dairy products and come up with some of your own favorites to share with members of your Grange and your community at your next potluck. Submit them to communications@nationalgrange.org so we can share them with our followers on social media and help everyone fall back in love with healthy, delicious dairy.

Master Recipes

Favorite dairy recipes shared by Betsy E. Huber

Ice Cream Cookie Dessert 1 package (1 lb.) chocolate

4 eggs

½ c. butter

1 c. chopped nuts

sandwich cookies

3 squares unsweetened chocolate (3 oz)

3 c. confectioners sugar (optional)

2 quarts vanilla ice cream

In a large bowl, crush cookies.

Spread 2/3 of the

crushed cookies in the bottom of a greased 13x9x2

inch pan. In the top part of a double boiler over hot, not boiling water, melt together butter and chocolate.

In a large bowl, combine eggs, sugar and nuts. Add

Corn & Tomatoes in

Cream

chocolate mixture; beat well. Let cool 1-2 minutes.

1 Tbsp. butter

1 tsp. salt

Pour over crushed cookies in pan. Spread ice cream

1 c. heavy cream

1 tsp. chopped garlic

evenly over sauce in pan. Top with remaining crushed

1 c. grape tomatoes, halved

½ tsp. ground pepper

cookies.

2 ½ c. fresh corn kernels

Chives for garnish

Makes 10-12 servings.

from the cob

Freeze 1-2 hours or until ready to serve.

Bacon & Cheese Oven Pancake 6 slices bacon

1 beaten egg

2 Tbsps sugar

1 c. shredded sharp

1 c. all purpose flour 1 Tbsp baking powder ½ tsp salt

¾ cup milk

Cottage cheese

American cheese (4 oz) Butter, maple syrup

Cook bacon until crisp; drain, reserving 3 Tablespoons drippings. Crumble bacon and set aside. In bowl stir together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Combine

egg, milk and reserved bacon drippings; add all at once to dry ingredients, beating with rotary beater until smooth.

Stir in bacon. Spread batter evenly in greased and floured

15x10x1 inch baking pan. Bake in 425 degree oven for 15 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese, bake 2-3 minutes more till

cheese is melted. Cut in squares, serve with butter and maple syrup. Makes 4-6 servings.

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Melt butter in saute pan on low. Add garlic and heat for about 3 minutes. Then add corn, cream, salt and pepper and place on high. Cream will reduce and thicken, coating the corn. Remove the pan from heat and add tomatoes. Plate and garnish.

Scones

6 Tbsp. butter, unsalted

1 tsp. salt

4 Tbsp. milk

1 tsp. chopped garlic

1 c. cottage cheese

½ tsp. salt

1 Tbsp. baking powder

4 scallions

2 ½ c. all purpose flour

Black pepper if desired

Preheat oven to 450° then mix cottage cheese and milk until smooth. In another bowl, whisk dry ingredients then cut in butter with fork until coarse. Add scallions and combine with dry ingredients milk mixture. Shape the dough into a ball, then flatten and place in plastic wrap and into freezer for 15 minutes. Remove and turn onto floured surface, then use cookie cutter to cut round scones about 2 inches round and an inch thick. Transfer scones onto baking sheet lined with parchment paper, then brush tops with a little milk, and bake for about 14 to 16 minutes.

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Country sausage

Gravy

1 lb. ground sausage

¼ c. all purpose flour

2 c. whole milk

¼ tsp. ground black pepper

Sprinkle of salt to taste Heat large skillet and brown sausage. Remove sausage but allow for a few tablespoons of drippings to remain. Add to drippings the flour and stir constantly for about 2 minutes, removing all lumps, before adding milk. Add milk slowly and stir together with salt and pepper. Allow to cook until bubbly and thick - about 5 minutes. Serve over warm biscuits.

Tres

Leches Cake

2 c. whole milk

5 eggs

14 oz. sweetened condensed milk

2 tsp. vanilla extract (1 tsp. each)

12 oz. evaporated milk

1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour

1 1/2 c. heavy whipping cream

2 c. white sugar (1 c. each)

1/2 c. unsalted butter

1 tsp. baking bowder

Preheat oven to 350° F. Grease and flour a 9”x13” baking pan. Sift flour and baking powder together and set aside. Cream butter and 1 cup of sugar until fluffy. Add eggs and the 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; beat well. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture in several small parts and mix well. Pour batter into pan. Bake at 350° F for 30 minutes. Remove cake from oven and pierce several times with a fork. Combine the whole milk, condensed milk, and evaporated milk together. Pour over the top of the cooled cake.

Whip whipping cream, the remaining 1 cup of sugar, and the remaining 1 teaspoon vanilla together until thick. Spread over the top of cake. Top with fruit of your choice if you’d like. Refrigerate and enjoy.

Illinois

Youth Fruit Dip

1 8 oz package cream cheese ¾ C brown sugar 1 Tbs. honey ½ C white sugar

Place all ingredients in mixing bowl and mix until well blended. Works best with a mixer, but can be mixed by hand. Chill. Serve with grapes, strawberries, apple slices or any other fruit.

¼ tsp. cinnamon 1 tsp. vanilla extract

We don’t remember where we originally came across this recipe, but we have been eating it at every youth function ever since.

Good Day!™ is a quarterly magazine published four times per year by the National Grange, 1616 H St. NW, Washington, DC 20006. Subscriptions for fraternal Grange members are $16 per year and $40 per year for e-members and non-members.

Single copies are $5 plus $2 shipping.

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GOOD DAY!™ MAGAZINE www.nationalgrange.org

THE LAST

Word

By Joan C. Smith National Grange Foundation Board Chair President, Potomac Grange #1 The National Grange Foundation feels the link between agriculture and education is a very worthwhile area for our organization to focus on. As part of that effort, The foundation has sponsored the National Agriculture in the Classroom “Agriculture Advocate Award” since 2010. Earlier in this issue, you learned about the 2019 Agriculture Advocate (NAME).

Weaving agriculture into all classrooms and into the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education puts the STEAM into K-12 students. Potomac Grange #1, Washington, D.C., has taken up the mantle as the District’s “Agriculture in the Classroom” sponsor, known as the “State Contact.”

In Washington, D.C., the typical student has had no true interface with the agriculture community, which provides them with their meat, fish, fruits, vegetable, dairy, fiber and other products that sustain and enhance life. If you’ve ever thought someone in your state was highly removed from the field and farm and did not understand where their food came from, imagine growing up in a “state” where not one farm existed.

As agriculture advocates, Grangers can get students excited about modern agriculture and perhaps about making

a difference in the world by working in the industry as a future career path. It starts with teachers and educators, and we, as Grangers, have the unique ability to reach this next generation of problem solvers through agriculture education.

Today the worldwide population is more than 7 billion, but by 2050, in 30 short years, the projection is the population will reach nearly 10 billion, a 45% increase. How will we sustain this many hungry mouths and how will Earth sustain the ecological impact of that number of humans?

Every person will need access to nutritious, affordable food and fiber grown on thriving farms. Our ability to evolve our food system depends on innovation in agriculture. Grangers need to share our life experiences with these young minds today to motivate them and stimulate their interest in agriculture.

Through Ag in the Classroom (AITC), students gain a greater understanding of the science, technology, engineering and math components of agriculture through virtual tours, gardens, bee hives, laboratory experiments, field trips. For virtual tours, no permission slips are required. These virtual events let educations take students to amazing places and give them remarkable experiences, without ever leaving the

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classroom. Perhaps your Grange farm/ ranch could be a live-feed classroom, walk through your barns/fields/equipment and tell your story and answer questions live with the students via the interlink.

It starts in pre-school and kindergarten by reading in the classroom a book about a farm, an animal, a tractor or a bee and perhaps sharing with them a piece of honey. Potomac Grange #1 put two hives on the National Grange Headquarters Building in the spring of 2017 and harvested our first 29 jars of honey that fall. Today, there are almost 300 hives in our urban concrete city; on rooftops, backyards, on school grounds, churches, universities and vacant lots.

While farms are miles and miles outside the District line, agriculture is everywhere and sharing that with the students is the role of our Ag In The Classroom group and of every Granger in every state.

We encourage all Grangers to volunteer in their local school to go read a book to a class, share your own agricultural experiences, plant a seed and watch it grow. Students are eager to ask questions and learn from you.

At our July National Grange Revival camp at Mulberry Mountain Resort Campgrounds, Ozark Arkansas, Potomac Grange will be doing a few agricultural experiment workshops on Tuesday and

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Wednesday which will mature to be living plants or spun yarn by the time we leave on Sunday. Come join us and share in the Ozark Mountains some beauty, fun, games, nature, workshops and fellowship.

Take back to your local school some ideas, show them that milk, meat and the apples come from a farm, not the grocery store. From the Farm to their Table, Grangers can tell the story.

Ignite student curiosity and inspire educations to re-imagine learning. As Grangers, you can start shaping the future. Teach them today and they’ll handle tomorrow. We all need to teach like the future depends on it and believe me the future does depend on it.

Michelangelo is quoted to have said, “Every block of stone has a statue inside it, and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it.”

It has been applied to many other fields and it certainly applies to young minds. So it should come as no surprise that his wisdom also applies to how good education can bring out the best in students.

Going forward there is great potential and opportunity for

the Grange and the National Ag In The Classroom program.

(NAME) is seeking out relationships that bring them closer to their food source. They want to become more knowledgeable on both the personal and professional level. They want to ‘know the farmer,’ promote healthy eating, and better understand global sustainability and environmental stewardship. Grangers stand ready to help them become more comfortable delivering agriculture in their classroom setting and beyond.

As we reflect on the things in our Grange lives for which we are most grateful, we invite you to join us in making the future bright for your community, family, students with a taxdeductible gift to National Grange Foundation.

Your contribution to Grange Foundation is one of the most powerful gifts you can give, as it will provide support for fellow Grangers, our Junior and Youth Leadership Development, Kelley Farm Preservation Fund, Grange Headquarters Building Fund, American Arts & Culture Fund, Deaf Awareness Fund, deserving project and programs that enhance and maintain a vibrant living-learning community.

Make your tax-deductible contribution to

Grange Foundation

GRANGE FOUNDATION is a nonprofit organization, focused on the betterment of rural America and agriculture based

on education and leadership development, designated as a 501(c)(3) by the IRS. Donations to the Grange Foundation may be tax deductible. Consult your financial advisor. Several funds have been established for specific purposes or you may choose to contribute to our general fund that supports new programs and projects in greatest need.

$______ Endowment/General Fund

$______ Junior Grange Fund

$______ Grange Youth Fund

$______ Kelley Farm Fund

$______ American Arts and Culture Fund

$______ Communication Fellows Fund

$______ Deaf Awareness/Outreach Fund

$______ Community & Leadership Development Fund

PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR PAYMENT DETAILS. _____ I have enclosed a check # _____________ made payable to Grange Foundation. _____ I wish for my donation of $__________ to be made via credit card. (Visa, MasterCard and Discover accepted) Name on card ________________________________________ Signature _____________________________________

Card Number ________________________________________ Expiration Date ________/_________ CVC ________ SEND YOUR CONTRIBUTION to the Grange Foundation, at 1616 H St. NW, 11th Floor, Washington, DC 20006.

You may also go online to grangefoundation.org to make a contribution today.

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